OPERA America

It's Thanksgiving! 🦃 I'm really thankful for our opera community that makes the art so vibrant, both on and off the stage. Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday! #MeetOpera #Thanksgiving #Mozart THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO at Lyric Opera of Chicago Cast & Creative Team: Figaro: Peter Kellner Susanna: Ying Fang Countess Almaviva: Federica Lombardi Count Almaviva: Gordon Bintner Cherubino: Kayleigh Decker Marcellina: Sarah Mesko Don Basilio: Brenton Ryan Dr. Bartolo: Nicholas Newton Barbarina: Gemma Nha Antonio: Matt Boehler Don Curzio: Daniel Espinal Peasant Girl: Emily Richter, Lucy Baker Conductor: Erina Yashima Director: Barbara Gaines Set Designer: James Noone Costume Designer: Susan Mickey Lighting Designer: Robert Wierzel Chorus Director: Michael Black Choreographer: Harrison McEldowney (Photo: Liz Lauren)

The wait is finally over! The Maria Callas biopic, MARIA, starring Angelina Jolie is hitting theaters this weekend! Did you know the film mixes Jolie's voice with Callas' to heighten the sense of audiovisual immersion — what do you think? I'm super excited for this one, and I'll be sprinting (not walking) to the theaters! 🏃 #MeetOpera #MARIA #CALLAS #Netflix

Hey students — did you know you may be eligible for free membership at OPERA America? If your college, conservatory, or university is an Educational Member — you can apply for a FREE Membership through your educational org. Take advantage of benefits like: - Full access to OPERA America’s online resources, including Opera America Magazine, topical materials, and multimedia. - Priority six-month advance booking and discounts on rentals at our National Opera Center. - Savings on career advancement programming, conference registration, and OPERA America Onstage events. Enjoy your student perks! Confirm your eligibility and enroll in your free digital membership (normally $75 per year) at https://lnkd.in/ghvq2eg4 #OPERAAmerica #StudentBenefit Photos: 1. JULIUS CAESAR at University of Michigan School of Music (credit: Peter Smith Photography) 3. ALCINA at The Shepherd School of Music (credit: Lynn Lane) 3. THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER AND CLAY by Mason Bates and Gene Scheer at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

Let's dive into the research about understanding opera's new audiences! 📊 👩💻 In recent seasons, opera companies all over North America have seen a surge in first-time attendees. We set out to learn more about what motivated these first-timers to come, to learn more about their experience, and what it might take to bring them back for more. And today we're delighted to share the results of a national study drawing from over 11,000 audience members across 36 companies: Understanding Opera's New Audiences Read the report and join us tomorrow, Friday, November 22, for a free webinar presenting the report, followed by a facilitated discussion about the implications of the learnings with the research team and field leaders. Download the report at https://lnkd.in/ecYvd2b9 The report was conducted by OPERA America in partnership with the premier cultural research firm, Slover Linett at NORC, at the University of Chicago. Photos:  1. MOBY-DICK at Pittsburgh Opera (credit: David Bachman Photography) 2. Portland Opera (Courtesy of Portland Opera) 3. THE MAGIC FLUTE at Opera San José (credit: David Allen) 4. Opera in the Park at Cincinnati Opera (credit: Philip Groshong) 5. PROXIMITY at Lyric Opera of Chicago (credit: David Bachman Photography) 6. DAS RHEINGOLD at Nashville Opera (credit: Anthony Popolo)  7. The Metropolitan Opera (credit: Richard Termine)

I'm excited to share the 18 participants chosen for the 2025 Leadership Intensive! This program highlights OPERA America’s ongoing dedication to finding and supporting leaders who will help drive the future of opera for years ahead. Let's give a big round of applause to the selected participants: American Participants  - Emily Barber, Director of Production, On Site Opera (New York, NY)  - Matt Cahill, Founder and Director, Hogfish (Portland, ME)  - Megan Carpenter, Senior Manager of Government Affairs and Civic Practice, OPERA America (New York, NY)  - Graham Fandrei, Chief Development Officer, Persad Center (Pittsburgh, PA)  - Siena Forest, Development Officer, Minnesota Opera (Minneapolis, MN)  - Kelsey Holmes, Philanthropy Officer, The Colburn School (Los Angeles, CA)  - Branden C. S. Hood, Director of Education, Detroit Opera (Detroit, MI)  - Shawn Marie Jeffery, Vice President, Classical and Creatives, UIA Talent Agency (New York, NY)  - Joanna Latini, Director of Resident Artist Programs, Palm Beach Opera (West Palm Beach, FL)  - Katherine Powers, Executive Director, Pacific Opera Project (Los Angeles, CA)  - Seiko, Artistic and Executive Director, Opera on Tap Rochester (Rochester, NY)  - Timmy Yuen, Associate Director of Human Resources, San Francisco Opera (San Francisco, CA) International Participants  - Andrew Adridge, Managing Director, Volcano; Co-Founder, Opera InReach (Toronto, Canada)  - Marco Ayala, Head of International Strategy, Teatro Real (Madrid, Spain)  - Yalilé Cardona-Alonso, Director, Festival Internacional de Música Clásica de Bogotá (Bogotá, Colombia)  - Celia Grau, Sustainability and Special Projects Manager, Opera Europa (Paris, France)  - Jaclyn Grossman, Performing Artist; Programs Manager, Opera 5; Co-Founder/Creator, Likht Ensemble (Toronto, Canada)  - Silvana Moreno, General and Artistic Director, Teatro del Bicentenario (San Juan, Argentina) Check out https://lnkd.in/eMVVMAeJ to find out more about the participants. I'm looking forward to welcoming them to New York City in the new year! 👏

Have you ever wondered how some of opera's biggest stars got their start, what paths they took in their careers, and what advice they'd give themselves if they could redo it all? Then you've got to check out interviews with Linda Brovsky, Mark Campbell, Paul Hopendahl, and Frederica von Stade — now available as part of our Oral History Project! Explore over 70 insightful videos featuring renowned administrators, artists, and advocates who have shaped the North American opera scene. Dive into the Oral History Project and discover the stories behind opera’s most influential figures. 🔗 Visit https://lnkd.in/eqSq52bS #OPERAAmerica #OralHistories #Opera

Visiting NYC? Be sure to stop by the National Opera Center and say “hi” — just like Hilary! ✌️(@hilaryginthermezzo) Whether you're visiting or a New York native, snap a pic while you're at the Opera Center and tag us. We love seeing our community!

There will be plenty of opportunities over the next year to salute Marc Scorca before he steps down in December 2025. For now, here are what some friends of OPERA America are saying. Photos (in order of appearance): - Marc A. Scorca and Lee Anne Myslewski, Backstage Brunch: Women in Opera, 2020 (photo by BAM Co) - Ryan Speedo Green and Marc Scorca, Ryan Speedo Green in Conversation, 2018 (photo by Melissa Walters) - Marc A. Scorca, Frayda B. Lindemann, and Charles MacKay at the dedication of Scorca Hall, 2015 (photo by Jeff Reeder) - Marc A. Scorca, Rene Orth, Donna Di Novelli, and Ellen Reid at the Backstage Brunch: Women in Opera, 2016 (photo by Anne-Michèle Mallory) - Marc A. Scorca and Matthew Shilvock, OPERA America Salutes, 2023 (photo by Danny Bristoll) - Laura Kaminsky and Marc A. Scorca at Opera Conference 2022 (photo by Tim Rummelhoff) - Marc A. Scorca and Ann Meier Baker at Opera Conference 2022 (photo by Dan Norman) - Michael Braxton, Mykai Eastman, Symone Sanz, Candace Burgess, Piper Davis, Jamelah Rimawi, and Marc A. Scorca at the Black Administrators of Opera Symposium in New Orleans, 2023 (photo courtesy Quodesia Johnson) - Ignacio García-Belenguer Laita and Marc A. Scorca at the World Opera Forum 2024 (photo by Jc Olivera Photography)  - Marc A. Scorca and Timothy O'Leary at Opera Conference 2017 (photo by Karen Almond)

We’re sharing this important message from our President/CEO Marc A. Scorca.   Watch first, then read the full press release https://lnkd.in/eRSxcjJj where our Board Chair Lee Anne Myslewski (and others) add their praise: “For many of us in the industry, there simply is no OPERA America without Marc Scorca. His leadership and service to our ever-changing field has been constant and incredibly transformative.”

Advice for Singers from Anthony Roth Costanzo! Want to hear more advice and stories from Anthony? Check out his recent Onstage at OPERA America appearance at https://lnkd.in/eVGyXKpP