Ted Leach and the New England Marionette Opera company
Posted by Sue Copley on Sep 13, 2016
Ted Leach, Founder of the New England Marionette OperaOn September 13th Monadnock Rotary was honored to host Ted Leach who gave an engaging talk about the history and accomplishments of his amazing company that performed a wide range of operatic productions in downtown Peterborough with beautifully crafted Marionettes. A graduate of Harvard University and the Univ. of Tulsa Law School, Ted Leach himself is a true Renaissance man. He has served in the NH House of Representatives, founded an organization to reduce climate warming, served as President of the Harris Center's Board of Trustees, published various well-known newspapers, and so much more. Presently Ted is completing a memoir of his multi-talented life. At this Rotary meeting, Ted described the grandeur and amazing magic involved with his marionette productions that drew enthusiastic crowds for near and far. After seven years, the life of this unique and thriving theater company ended tragically on the bitterly cold night of January 1st, 1999, when an all consuming fire destroyed its building, 200 handcrafted marionettes, the sets from nine complete operatic productions, and all the sound and light devices. It was an overwhelming loss. Ted also showed us a PBS video of an interview given by Ted about one poignant story intimately connected with his opera company, and demonstrated how a marionette is manipulated (using one of his very few surviving marionettes). It was a special Rotary meeting very much enjoyed by all who were in attendance.