The Hercules Society

1 September 2006

Dear Friend,

It is my pleasure to invite you to join the Hercules Society – a small but ever-growing group that includes members of our core Emmanuel Music audience. Established in 1999 to help underwrite our performance of Handel's Hercules, members of this Society each contribute between $1,000 and $5,000 to support our evening concert series.

This year, the Hercules Society will have a greater role and will share in an even greater honor. For the first time, Emmanuel Music will be presenting three major concert operas -- Handel's Ariosto operas, Orlando, Ariodante and Alcina. We are dedicating the entire Handel Opera Festival to the late Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, the beloved Emmanuel Music mezzo-soprano who shared her artistry with us throughout her career.

Support from the Hercules Society will help meet the full expenses of this ground-breaking season. Benefits vary by level, but include priority seating, acknowledgement in our programs, and an invitation to a special post-concert reception with the cast and orchestra.

Please join me in supporting Emmanuel Music's first Handel Opera Festival.

Warm regards,

Craig Smith