UPDATED: Email Leaks Reveal Opera America’s Professional Development Listserv Complaining About Young Artists’ ‘Entitlement’ & Pronouns

UPDATE: Since the publication of this article, it has been brought to OperaWire’s attention that the emails as leaked online, were out of order and hence some of the responses, mainly those of Pamela Jones, Laurie Rogers, and Peter Kazaras, were out of context. OperaWire has since communicated with Opera America’s Dan Cooperman who provided the accurate context of the {…}

Jul 19, 2022

OPERA America Releases Statement Regarding Leaked Emails

OPERA America has released a statement about the leaked emails from its “professional development” listserv. The organization said, “this past weekend a series of emails that included disrespectful and harmful language was taken out of context and out of order from a private OPERA America listserv and published on social media. We recognize and deeply regret that material on one {…}

Jul 1, 2022

OPERA America Field-Wide Opera Demographic Report 2021 Shows Good News for Gender Representation while BIPOC Languishes

OPERA America (OA) has released its Field-Wide Opera Demographic Report 2021. The first-of-its-kind report provides a snapshot of the demographic landscape of administrators and board members two years after the death of George Floyd, which spurred a flurry of diversity and equity initiatives within the industry. Since this is the inaugural report, there aren’t baseline numbers for year-over-year comparisons. The {…}

May 27, 2022

Stephanie Fleischmann Named Winner of the 2022 Campbell Opera Librettist Prize

OPERA America has announced librettist Stephanie Fleischmann as the 2022 Campbell Opera Librettist Prize winner. Conceived and funded by Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning librettist Mark Campbell, the prize seeks to raise the profile of librettists, who seldom receive recognition for their work. The award comes with a $7,000 prize to support creative and career development. Fleischmann, an alumna of {…}

Mar 10, 2022

Opera America Unveils 2022 Repertoire Development Grants

Opera America has announced the recipients of its 2022 Repertoire Development Grants. The recipients for the grant include American Lyric Theater, Beth Morrison Projects, Houston Grand Opera, MassOpera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Pensacola Opera, OperaDelaware, and Virginia Opera. In sum, the nine companies will receive $225,000 to develop eight new American operas. “Fostering the creation {…}

Dec 9, 2021

OPERA America Announces 2022 Opera Hall of Fame Inductees and National Opera Trustee Recognition Award Recipients

OPERA America has announced “OPERA America Salutes,” a celebration of opera’s outstanding leaders and the organization’s next 50 years. The March 4, 2022 event honoring artists, producers, and champions of the art form, will take place at The University Club of New York, and be hosted by mezzo-soprano, Denyce Graves. OPERA America will funnel the proceeds for the event into {…}

Jun 17, 2021

OPERA America to Offer Webinar Series on Mental Health for Opera Professionals

OPERA America has announced it will be presenting a special series of webinars curated by the Women’s Opera Network that will focus on mental health challenges faced by those working in the opera industry. The Taking Care series will begin with “Mental Health Care for Creators and Artists” on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at 5:00 pm. This session will explore {…}

Jun 14, 2021

OPERA America Announces 2022 Dues Waiver

OPERA America has announced a dues waiver for the fiscal year 2022. This is the second consecutive year the organization has issued a waiver. In sum, 170 U.S. Professional Companies and 425 Organizational Members, including Associate, Business, Career Services, and Educational Producing Associate Members, are eligible. The Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, which has supported the field through OPERA America’s Building Opera {…}

Jun 13, 2021

Opera America Announces Winners of Grants for Women Stage Directors & Conductors

OPERA America has announced the winners of the Opera Grants for Women Stage Directors and Conductors. In sum, the company will be providing $36,650 in grants with professional company members receiving up to $10,000 to subsidize as much as 50 percent of the fee of a woman stage director or conductor who is working for the company for the first {…}

May 31, 2021

Douglas Kearney to Receive Inaugural Campbell Opera Librettist Prize

OPERA America has announced that Douglas Kearney has been named the inaugural recipient of the Campbell Opera Librettist Prize. The award, conceived and funded by Mark Campbell, is the first in American opera to specifically honor the work of the librettist. An alumnus of Howard University and CalArts, Kearney has written libretti for such operas as “Sweet Land,” “Crescent City,” {…}

May 21, 2021

Opera America Announces Recipients of the Opera Grants for Women Composers Program

Opera America has announced the recipients of its 2021 Discovery Grants from the Opera Grants for Women Composers program. In sum, the winners will receive $100,000 dollars in support; grants were generously supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. This year’s winners include Gelsey Bell for “mɔːnɪŋ,” Christina Campanella for “The Visitation,” Asako Hirabayashi for “Hebi-onna (Snake Woman),” Angel Lam {…}