Portland Opera has announced a multi-phase $5 million fundraising campaign aimed at stabilizing operations and securing the company’s long-term future. Titled “Keep Portland Operatic — Save Our Song. Secure Our Future.,” the 16-month initiative has set an initial milestone of raising $1.5 million by the end of June 2026, anchored by a $1 million lead gift from the Oregon Community {…}
Portland Opera has announced the appointment of Tracy Wenckus as Interim General Director, effective Jan. 1, 2026. She takes over for Sue Dixon, who retired after serving as General Director for six years. Wenckus, who has been with the company since 1999, will hold the position until a new General Director is appointed. During her tenure with Portland Opera, Wenckus {…}
Portland Opera is in search of its next General Director, following the planned retirement of Sue Dixon, who will step down on Dec. 31, 2025. The national search will be conducted in partnership with Summit Search Solutions, Inc. and the Portland Opera Board of Directors. “As we begin the thoughtful search for our next General Director, we look forward to {…}
Portland Opera has made numerous announcements regarding its board of directors. First off, the company announced the election of Kregg Arntson as its new Board President. Arntson, who has served on the Portland Opera board since 2016 and is the Director of Community Impact and Executive Director of the PGE Foundation, will be tasked in his new role with maintaining {…}
Portland Opera has announced that General Director Sue Dixon will retire on Dec. 31, 2025. Dixon, who led the company for more than six years, will depart following Portland Opera’s 60th anniversary season. A national search for her successor is already underway. “On behalf of the board, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Sue for more than a {…}
Damien Geter is the new Music Director of the Portland Opera. Geter, a singer, composer, and conductor, has held the interim music director tag for four years; he was appointed to the position back in 2021. In 2025-26, his song “Amanirenas” will be featured in Karen Slack’s recital “African Queens” in September. Additionally, he will conduct Verdi’s Requiem to close {…}
Portland Opera has expanding its education and community outreach program through the acquisition of Opera Quest Northwest. The Vancouver nonprofit has brought live operatic music into elementary schools throughout Southwest Washington. Opera Quest’s program “Opera the Great!” blends classic opera excerpts with child-friendly interactive script. Five young professional singers portray famous opera characters to teach young audiences about opera history, {…}
(Credit: Nick Coleman/Coleman PhotoGraphix) On March 15, the Portland Opera is set to present “The Shining” an opera by Paul Moravec and librettist Mark Campbell. The work comes from the iconic book by Stephen King that was made legendary by Stanley Kubrick with his 1980 film starring Jack Nicholson. Having made its world premiere in 2016, the opera has been performed {…}
Portland Opera has unveiled its 2025-26 season. First up is “African Queens” starring Karen Slack in her famed program. She performs works by Damien Geter, Jasmine Barnes, and Shawn Okpebholo. Performance Dates: Sept. 13-14, 2025 Next up is “The Elixir of Love.” The opera is presented in a 50-minute English language production as part of the “Portland Opera to Go” program. {…}
Portland Opera is moving to a new home. The company revealed that after two decades at the Hampton Opera Center, it will now call the World Trade Center on Salmon Street its new home. The new space features the Outdoor Plaza and indoor theater, allowing flexibility for the company’s mainstage and “Opera a la Cart” summer series. “This move right-sizes {…}
Portland Opera is set to present “The Juliet Letters” as part of its 60th anniversary season. The opera, which opens on Nov. 15, 2024, and runs through the 24th for a total of six performances at Artists Repertory Theater, will feature Portland Opera Resident Artists including Matthew Maisano, Ginaia Black, Erin Roth Thomas, and Nathaniel Catasca. They are joined by {…}