$40M donation given to San Francisco Opera

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- The board chairman for the San Francisco Opera says he and his wife are giving $40 million to the musical organization.

Chairman John A. Gunn and his wife Cynthia said their donation is a reflection of their dedication to the opera group and its general director, David Gockley, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday.

"We believe in the importance of the art form," Gunn said, "and in showing that it doesn't take any background to appreciate this immensely human form of drama."

"We think it's so important what David is trying to do," Cynthia Gunn offered. "Not only what we see on stage -- making it as great and glorious as it can be -- but in taking it outside the opera house to all sorts of other venues, and to show that opera is not a stiff, elitist art form."

The Chronicle said the donation, which will help finance future projects and outreach efforts by the company, is now the largest single donation to the San Francisco Opera. The couple's gift beat out the $35 million donation from longtime company supporter Jeannik Mequet Littlefield two years ago.