You might call Ernesto Alorda Seattle Opera’s diplomat. Beginning in the 1970s, he earned for Seattle Opera the goodwill of volunteers, press, singers and visiting dignitaries, and Seattle’s community of music-lovers.

His first important role at Seattle Opera was as a trustee of the Guild. Since 1978, Alorda has served as chairman of the Artists’ Aides, Seattle Opera’s army of volunteers who care for visiting artists. He became press and public relations director of Seattle Opera in 1983, later moving on to his the vital role he played for decades as community and artist relations manager. He arranged visas for foreigners, brought singers and artists from all over the world to Seattle, helped to arrange their housing and transportation, looked after them during their time in Seattle, and became lifelong friends with many.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Alorda came to New York City in 1960 to attend Hunter College and then served four years in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Heidelberg and Mannheim, Germany, a good jumping-off point for visits to Bayreuth. His experience there would come in handy when Ernesto began working with the many German-speaking artists who came to Seattle for the Ring.