Background
Purrington, Edward Cobb was born on December 6, 1929 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, United States.
Purrington, Edward Cobb was born on December 6, 1929 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, United States.
Bachelor, University Massachusetts, Amherst, 1951. Master of Fine Arts, Columbia University, 1958.
Assistant to Gian Carlo Menotti in revival, The Consul, New York City Opera, 1960;
associate professor theatre and speech, Notre Dame College of S.I., New York City, 1958-1967;
director development public relations, Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1969-1971;
business manager, Opera Association, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1967-1969. Production coordinator, stage director, stage manager, instructor apprentice artist program, company manager 1961 tour to West Berlin and Belgrade, summers, 1959-1967;chairman deputy performing arts College of Santa Fe, 1972-1974, development officer for special academic programs. General director Tulsa Opera, Inc., 1975-1987.
Administrative director The Washington Opera, 1987-1995, artistic administrator, since 1995;grants panelist National Endowment for Arts, opera, music theater, 1980-1983, 91, on-site evaluator, 1980-1995, member conferral panel and auditionsjudge Richard Tucker award and career and study grants. Member committee, judge Metropolitan Opera Auditions, MacAllister Vocal Competition, Stewart Awards. Chairman San Francisco Opera Auditions, Tulsa, 1977-1979.
Founding director Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, president of the board, 1978-1979. Director, vice president Opera American, Inc., 1981-1987. Director numerous seminars and classes.
Staff sergeant United States Air Force, 1951-1955. Member Sigma Alpha Iota.
Married Lois N. Howard, May 18, 1991.