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 {…}
Opera America has announced its 2025 National Opera Trustee winners. This year’s winners include Jeffrey Cunard of Washington National Opera, Janet Farrell of IN Series, Erin Flannery of Experiments in Opera, Liz Kathman Grubow of Cincinnati Opera, and Mel Weingart of OPERA San Antonio. The award honors those who have displayed exemplary leadership and service on behalf of their organization. {…}
Opera Volunteers International will present the Partners in Excellence Award in honor of Lucille “Luci” F. Gorski. The Toledo Opera Guild led by co-Presidents, Barbara J. Brown and Celinda Niggemyer nominated Gorski for her leadership within the opera community since the 1980s. Toledo Opera Director of Marketing and Communications, Rachael Cammarn will accept the award on behalf of Toledo Opera {…}
OPERA America has announced its 2025 Marineau Opera Grants for Women Stage Directors and Conductors. The winners include Rebekah Heller for her work with American Opera Projects on “Barcelona, Map of Shadows; Chelsea Gallo, who will conduct “Carmen” at Dayton Performing Arts Alliance; Chía Patiño who will lead “The House on Mango Street” at The Glimmerglass Festival; Kaneza Schaal for {…}