Opera America

Opera America, officially OPERA America, is a service organization in North America promoting the creation, presentation, and enjoyment of opera. Almost all professional opera companies and some semi-professional companies in the United States are members of the organization including such opera companies as the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Dallas Opera. Opera America also includes international affiliated opera companies such as the Canadian Opera Company and Opera Australia, businesses, educational institutions, libraries, foundations, guilds, and opera artists such as singers and composers. The organization has been led by President and CEO Marc A. Scorca since 1990.

Hallmarks of Opera America

Opera America's services have seven "hallmarks". First is Timely Information, which is dedicated towards online and print newsletters and bulletins. Next, Opera's Advocate involves the raising of the profile of opera through formal programs. After this is Dedication to New Works, which is the encouraging of the creation and presentation of new works. The development of artists, administrators, and technical theater professionals is taken care of through the next hallmark, which is Professional Development. Regional Meetings promote opera at a more local level. Next is Collaborative Projects, which is the research and sharing of information with other arts companies. Finally, Authoritative Knowledge: the analysis of the opera industry of North America including performances activity and financial patterns. This results in an Annual Field Report and many studies available to member companies.

Opera America also seeks to provide information to enhance the enjoyment of opera by adults and children. Music! Words! Opera! is its education curriculum for grades K-12. Adult learners can participate in online courses on specific operas.^[1]

Most Produced Operas of the 2009-2010 Season

1. The Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart^[2]

2. La bohème by Giacomo Puccini

3. Carmen by Georges Bizet

4. Tosca by Giacomo Puccini

(tie) La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi

5. Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini

(tie) The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

(tie) Hänsel und Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck

6. L'elisir d'amore by Gaetano Donizetti

(tie) Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

(tie) The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini

References

1. ^ Opera America website. Online learning resources. Retrieved 8 May 2011
2. ^ Opera America website. Schedule of Performances

Sources

• Opera America official website

See also

• Deutscher Bühnenverein for the equivalent national organization in Germany.
• Opera Europa for the sister organisation covering Europe