Star soprano Angel Blue, along with the National Institute of Social Sciences (NISS), has announced a free webinar, “What’s Next for Opera,” on Sept. 23, 2021.

The webinar will feature a high-profile panel of industry leaders comprising mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves; countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo; James Robinson, former General Director of Opera Theatre St. Louis, and director of the Metropolitan Opera’s “Porgy and Bess” and “Fire Shut Up in my Bones;” and David Lomelí, Artistic Administrator of the Santa Fe Opera and Casting Director of Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Germany, Creator of The Dallas Opera Network.

Opera America CEO Mark Scorca will moderate the 90-minute webinar, covering the art form’s future, industry innovation, live performance safety, and “to stream or not to stream,” among other discussion topics.

Blue, who currently serves as a Trustee of NISS, said in a press statement, “I immediately wanted to become a part of the National Institute of Social Sciences when I attended their Annual Gold Medal Gala in 2019. The organization’s dedication to celebrating knowledge and improving our world through the study and discussion of societal issues is something that is very important to me. The pandemic has changed society. However, it is organizations like NISS who will be at the forefront of helping our community to remain a strong unit. I’m very honored to be a National Institute Trustee, and I hope that everyone will enjoy the webinar ‘What’s Next in Opera?’”