Opera Founder to Be Awarded Honorary Degree from CSUN

Peter Hemmings has not stopped surprising the local opera scene since he made his presence known in 1984, founding Los Angeles’ own opera company.

But after 43 years of dedicating his life to mentoring young opera singers, Hemmings will retire. But not before receiving one more recognition from Cal State Northridge.

On June 1, Hemmings will be awarded an honorary doctor of fine arts degree at commencement ceremonies for the College of Arts, Media and Communications, said CSUN spokesman Dick Tyler.

“I am most gratified to receive this . . . degree from Cal State, which has educated so many fine scholars and singers,” Hemmings said. “Having such a vibrant creative pool from which to draw and nurture new talent has been an immense benefit to both Los Angeles Opera and the greater Southern California arts community.”

Hemmings was chosen to launch the area’s first opera company at a time when Los Angeles was the only major city without one, university officials said. Since then, he has made the Los Angeles Opera the sixth largest opera company in the nation, Tyler said.

Under his direction, the company has been able to bring professional opera singers to local elementary and secondary schools and to communities not usually exposed to opera, Tyler said.