Testimonials
Martha Fetsko
The end of Act I of Martha (1915-1916 season) featuring in the
back seat: Enrico Caruso and Frieda Hempel. In the front seat are
Giuseppe de Luca and Margarete Ober.
Dear Metropolitan Opera,
My introduction to opera began when I was born. My mother was a big fan of Enrico Caruso, who had sung the role of Lyonel in Freidrich Flotow’s Martha, so she named me after the title character. When I came home from school, she would often greet me by singing the section of his aria that contained my name, which embarrassed me no end as I grew older.
In our home, the classical radio station was the only one that was ever on – I didn’t even realize that there were others! – so my Saturdays always included the Metropolitan Opera Radio Broadcasts. As a child I played several instruments, including the viola. Our high school orchestra conductor also led the local opera company and he enlisted me to play there. High school was also the time when I first came to the Metropolitan Opera, and I’ve been coming ever since.
I take great pride in being able to support the Metropolitan Opera through my Patron membership and by being an Encore Society Associate. I’ve completed a charitable gift annuity, which provides me with tax benefits, an annuity rate that far surpasses current bank interest rates and, most important, I know that I am providing for my beloved Met.
Sincerely,
If the Met has been a part of your past, please join Martha in being part of its future. There are so many ways to do so – by will, in a trust or, like Martha, by completing a charitable gift annuity. In return for making an irrevocable gift to the Met, you could receive income and tax benefits and become an Associate of The Encore Society. Some sample rates are: 6.5% at age 70, 7.1% at age 75, 8.0% at age 80. To learn more and to find out what rate you would be entitled to, please write, or call 212-870-7388.
The Encore Society
The Metopolitan Opera
Lincoln Center, New York, NY 10023
212-870-7388
e-mail: encoresociety@mail.metopera.org.