Opera Conference
May 10–27, 2021
Opera Conference 2021 brings the opera field together virtually this spring to address key opportunities before us as we rebuild the industry.
Sessions will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays over the course of three weeks in May. Specific topics and dates are listed below.
Opera administrators, artists, educators, trustees, and other stakeholders are invited to register for Opera Conference 2021 in order to access live sessions. Registration includes access to videos of the sessions following the live streams. See member and non-member rates.
OPERA America members can log in to access member rates.
Week 1: Artists at the Center
Some of the most stunning performance innovations during the pandemic were conceived, produced, and distributed by artists working independently. They displayed technical and entrepreneurial skills and compelling artistic visions. Their leadership and success challenge the inherited assumption that opera companies are the artistic gatekeepers of the art form. Some companies had begun to increase the agency of artists before the onset of COVID-19, but more companies are now developing strategies that put artists at the center of their work. Artists and producers will discuss the dynamics and potential of rebalanced relationships.
- Opening Session and Lead Presentation
Monday, May 10, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT
Lawrence Brownlee, tenor; artistic advisor, Opera Philadelphia
Opening greeting from Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX)
Additional remarks by Annie Burridge, general director, Austin Opera, and vice-chair, OPERA America; Timothy O'Leary, general director, Washington National Opera, and board chair, OPERA America; Marc A. Scorca, president and CEO, OPERA America; and Tony Shivers, director of government affairs, OPERA America - Panel Discussion and Breakout Sessions
Wednesday, May 12, 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT
Ed Yim (moderator), senior vice president and chief content officer, WQXR
Lawrence Brownlee, tenor; artistic advisor, Opera Philadelphia
Willo Carey, board member, Opera Philadelphia
Elizabeth Cline, executive director, The Industry
Patricia Garza, director of programs and engagement, Network of Ensemble Theaters
Yuval Sharon, artistic director, The Industry and Michigan Opera Theatre
Godfrey L. Simmons Jr., artistic director, HartBeat Ensemble
Karen Slack, soprano; artistic advisor, Portland Opera
James Wilson, cellist, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Breakout session case studies: Cincinnati Opera, Hartbeat Ensemble, The Industry, Opera Philadelphia, and Portland Opera - Happy Hour and Exhibitor Meet-Ups
Thursday, May 13, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. EDT
Get to know your colleagues in this social networking event. Rotate from room to room and make new friends along the way. The happy hour is made possible by our sponsors: Threshold Acoustics, Fisher Dachs Associates, Genovese Vanderhoof & Associates, and Schuler Shook.
Week 2: The Politics of Art
Social and political changes have a far-reaching impact on every aspect of the world around us. Opera companies have begun to implement strategies to achieve racial justice and reduce barriers to participation in the art form among artists, audiences, staff, and board members. While companies have become more engaged cultural citizens, is it time for them to emerge as cultural activists around issues that strengthen social cohesion and vibrant communities? Panelists from within and outside the field will explore the dimension of our civic responsibility.
- Lead Presentation
Monday, May 17, 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. EDT
Dr. Christia Mercer, Gustave M. Berne Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University - Panel Discussion and Breakout Sessions
Wednesday, May 19, 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT
Dr. Antonio Cuyler (moderator), director of the M.A. program and associate professor of arts administration, Florida State University
Torrie Allen, president and CEO, Arts Midwest
Teresa Eyring, executive director, Theatre Communications Group
John Hoomes, CEO and artistic director, Nashville Opera
Cerise Jacobs, executive producer, White Snake Projects
Dave Ragland, composer
Kimberly Reed, film director and producer; librettist
Reed Smith, general director, Anchorage Opera
Tazewell Thompson, director, playwright, librettist; director of opera studies, Manhattan School of Music
Breakout session case studies: Anchorage Opera on As One, The Glimmerglass Festival on Blue, Long Beach Opera on The Central Park Five, Nashville Opera on One Vote Won, Opera Parallèle on Harvey Milk, and White Snake Projects on Death by Life
Week 3: Achieving a New Normal
Companies are living with questions about the shape of future seasons. What will be the balance between in-theater productions and casual outdoor events? How will digital programming be balanced with live performances? Can the new level of accessibility achieved during the pandemic be preserved? But is it possible to arrive at a “new normal” if we simply return to old department structures and modes of operation? Experts will discuss the ways COVID-19 has cut across existing organizational silos and how new operating strategies will be needed to achieve new goals for the field.
- Lead Presentation
Monday, May 24, 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. EDT
Julian Chender, manager, Accenture; fellow, Kates Kesler Organization Consulting - Panel Discussion and Breakout Sessions
Wednesday, May 26, 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT
Lynette Turner (moderator), senior associate, AMS Planning and Research
Lee Bynum, vice president of impact, Minnesota Opera
Julian Chender, manager, Accenture; fellow, Kates Kesler Organization Consulting
Khori Dastoor, general director, Opera San Jose
David Devan, general director and president, Opera Philadelphia
Rebekah Diaz, manager of community engagement and IDEA initiatives, Pittsburgh Opera
Barry Edelstein, Erna Finci Viterbi artistic director, The Old Globe
Jaime Martino, executive director, Tapestry Opera
Douglas McLennan, founder and editor, ArtsJournal
Breakout session case studies: Minnesota Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Opera San José, Pittsburgh Opera, and Tapestry Opera. - Closing Session
Thursday, May 27, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT
Additional speakers, sessions, and programming may be added to this schedule in the future; details will be announced.
Registration Rates
Opera administrators, artists, educators, trustees, and other stakeholders are invited to register for Opera Conference 2021 in order to access live sessions. OPERA America individual members and the staff of OPERA America organizational members enjoy discounted rates.
| Members | Non-Members | |
| Organization Staff | $48 | $99 |
| Individuals | $48 | $99 |
| Artists | $18 | $24 |
OPERA America members can log in to access member rates.
Opera Conference 2021 is sponsored by:
