FORT WORTH – Fort Worth Opera has been working together with Bass Performance Hall to monitor the risks associated with the H1N1 virus and has announced that the Fort Worth Opera Festival, which opened April 25, 2009 will continue as planned – with a few adjustments.

In an effort to ease concerns over the spread of the H1N1 virus (commonly called the “swine flu”) and to promote public health, Fort Worth Opera is taking the following steps for the remainder of the 2009 Festival Season, which will continue through May 10, 2009:

§         All employees, contractors, volunteers, and ushers will be provided with updated swine flu information per the Center for Disease Control, including tips to prevent the spread of the disease and symptoms.

§         All employees, contractors, volunteers, and ushers have been instructed to stay home if they experience symptoms of the H1N1 virus until they have been cleared by a medical professional to return to work.

§         Employees, contractors, volunteers and ushers working at Fort Worth Opera Festival performances at Bass Performance Hall will be provided hand sanitizer and instructed to use it frequently as well as provide it to customers upon request.

§         Fort Worth Opera is working with Bass Performance Hall, which already has stringent cleaning policies in place, to coordinate additional measures to provide a safe and entertaining environment for patrons attending the Fort Worth Opera Festival.

§         Cough drops will be provided at each performance free of charge.

Ticket holders usually do not attend opera when feeling sick, as the art form is not conducive to coughing or getting up and down due to illness.  However, as an additional precaution, Fort Worth Opera is reminding ticket holders to consult the Center for Disease Control or other reliable source for H1N1 symptom information and requesting that they not attend an opera if they are experiencing any symptoms, no matter how mild. The company has implemented alternative options for ticket buyers who are experiencing symptoms.

Darren K. Woods, General Director of Fort Worth Opera said, “An opera performance is not the same environment as a school, so we are not concerned at this time. As a precaution, we are taking steps to ensure that the environment is as sanitary and safe as possible.”

More information about Fort Worth Opera, the Festival, customer options, and the steps the company is taking to minimize the risk of H1N1 transmission can be found on the company’s website: www.fwopera.org or by calling 817.731.0726.

Schedule of remaining 2009 performances at Bass Performance Hall:

May 10             2 p.m.               Dead Man Walking

More information can be found on the website: www.fwopera.org.