Ansley’s Eternal Love Story
If lifelong Atlantan Shepard Ansley’s story could be summed up in one word, it would be love—for family, friends, community, and of course, opera. When Shepard entered The Fox Theater as a third grader to see The Metropolitan Opera’s touring production of La Traviata, he never imagined how much his first opera experience would shape his life. The heart-wrenching story and virtuosic voices pierced his young heart and turned him into a lifelong opera lover. For the rest of his school years, Shepard attended The Met’s tour with his mother, who gave him an opera history book that he still reads in preparation for each performance he hears.
During his two-year stint as an ROTC participant in Germany, Shepard took the unique opportunity to attend several performances of Wagner’s operas at the Bayreuth Festival. After concluding his studies at The University of Virginia’s Law School, Shepard established his career in Atlanta as a financial consultant. In 1970 he married Boyce Ansley, who shared Shepard’s devotion to opera. To ensure that The Met’s tour to Atlanta remained vibrant, Boyce led a cadre of volunteers who managed tickets; Shepard served as a member of The Atlanta Music Festival Association’s board. Shepard fondly recalls the excitement of opera productions and events in Atlanta and New York, where he and other supporters sponsored a “Jet to the Met” trip.
When the Met’s tour concluded in 1986, the Ansleys worked tirelessly to keep opera alive in Atlanta. Boyce was a noted leader on the board of The Atlanta Opera, serving for thirty years. Shepard and Boyce faithfully donated and encouraged their friends to follow their philanthropic example. Beyond their annual contributions, they both committed to supporting the Opera with a gift in their will.
Though Boyce passed away in 2016, Shepard feels her presence when he attends each performance: “I am thrilled about the prospects of Atlanta, and I am happy to do my part in bolstering its success for generations to come.”
To learn how to support The Atlanta Opera through a planned gift, contact Jonathan Blalock at 336-512-6832 or jblalock@atlantaopera.org.
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