Soprano Lena Wu will present a series of recitals at OPERA America’s National Opera Center in New York starting on Sept. 17, 2026. The program brings together art songs and classical arias, including the traditional Chinese song “Song of the Yue Boatman” alongside works by Dvořák, Debussy, Poulenc, Puccini, Lehár, and Guettel. Wu will be joined by pianists Jason Wirth {…}
OPERA America has announced the recipients of its 2026 National Opera Trustee Recognition Awards. The 2026 honorees for U.S. companies are Thérèse Esperdy of Heartbeat Opera, Robyn Marie Lamp of Amelia Island Opera, Cathy Remson Lazarus of Opera San José, Sylvia Neil of Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Laurie Nelson Randlett of Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera. The Association for Opera {…}
OPERA America has announced the recipients of its 2026 Commissioning Grants from its Opera Grants for Women Composers program. The grants which total $135,000 will promote the development of new work by women-identifying composers and bring visibility to women composers across the field. Funds up to $50,000 support the composer’s commissioning fee for a full production of a new opera. {…}
OPERA America has announced that its 2027 Opera Conference will take place May 12 to 14, 2027 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, hosted by The Florentine Opera. The three-day gathering will be held at the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee and will include plenary sessions, breakout programming, and networking opportunities. Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend a performance of Mozart’s {…}
OPERA America has revealed the 20 participants selected for its 2026 Leadership Intensive, drawing administrators from the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. The 14 U.S. participants are James Barnett, Artistic Director of Skylark Opera Theatre; Caitlin Bolden, Director of Artistic Operations at Knoxville Opera; Richard Gammon, Director of the Opera Maine Studio Artist Program; Matthew Hrdlicka, Artistic Coordinator {…}
OPERA America has announced the recipients of the 2026 Discovery Grants from its Opera Grants for Women Composers program. The Grants totaling $100,000 will support the development of new opera and music-theater works. In addition to cash awards, OPERA America will provide travel support and free registration for the 2026 Discovery Grant recipients to attend its 2026 and 2027 Opera {…}
OPERA America will present soprano Lisette Oropesa in conversation with Chief Programs Officer Jamelah Rimawi at the National Opera Center in Manhattan. Oropesa, who will be appearing at the Metropolitan Opera as Violetta in Verdi’s “La traviata” this spring, will reflect on her career, artistry, and creative process. Set for March 25, 2026 at 7 p.m., the event will be {…}
OPERA America’s Annual Field Report for 2025 has been published. The data in the report is drawn from the fiscal year 2024 data submitted by OPERA America’s Professional Company Members in the annual Professional Opera Survey administered by SMU Data Arts. The report is designed to provide leaders in the field with a comprehensive overview of the financial health and {…}
OPERA America has announced an update to its 2024 study “Understanding Opera’s New Audiences.” In the 2024 study, the organization concluded that first time operagoers preferred “the classics.” However, in exploring the data one year later, the organization came to a different conclusion. “New audiences want to see repertoire they’ve heard of, which includes classics and new works,” says the {…}
Michael J. Bobbitt has been named OPERA America’s next President and CEO. He will assume leadership on Jan. 1, 2026, under a five-year contract. The announcement was made by Board Chair Lee Anne Myslewski on behalf of the Board of Directors of OPERA America. Bobbitt, a trained trumpeter and classical vocalist, joins OPERA America from the Mass Cultural Council in {…}
OPERA America will celebrate the retirement of President / CEO Marc A. Scorca on March 20, 2026, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The event will also honor Opera Hall of Fame Inductees and award recipients of the Trustee Recognition. The Opera Hall of Fame 2025 inductees include baritone and teacher Donnie Ray Albert, librettist and teacher Mark {…}
