The Valley Light Opera, Inc., based in Amherst, is a nonprofit Massachusetts corporation founded in 1975 by a group of Gilbert and Sullivan devotees. The VLO promotes broad participation and produces fine entertainment. We present a fully staged opera in the fall of each year, and less formal productions in the late winter or early spring. Over the years, the Valley Light Opera has produced all fourteen of the G&S operas as well as Cox and Box, The Zoo, The Rose of Persia, The Chieftain, The Emerald Isle, The Beauty Stone, and Sullivan's oratorio The Prodigal Son. In addition, VLO has performed Rudolf Friml's The Vagabond King, Franz Lehár's The Merry Widow, Jacques Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld, John Philip Sousa's El Capitan, and Warren Martin's The True Story of Cinderella.

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Mission statement
(adopted by the Board of Directors, Sept. 19, 2001)
The mission of the Valley Light Opera is to produce excellent light opera, primarily but not restricted to the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, to provide members of the community the opportunity to participate at all levels of these productions, and to afford both participants and audiences enjoyment and a deeper appreciation of light opera.

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The affairs of the VLO are in the hands of a Board of Directors elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting, normally in February or March. Membership is open to all who are interested, but it is not necessary to be a member to participate. You don't even have to be able to sing and dance. The VLO is a community group, made up entirely of volunteers, and there is a place for you on either side of the footlights. Are you interested in doing or learning make-up, costumes, scenery construction, painting, or lighting? Maybe you would rather work on the program, do publicity, usher, help with refreshments. If you want more information, please see the "Get Involved" page.

If you are interested in participating, see our "Contacts" page.