OPERA America Onstage
OPERA America Onstage, our signature public programming series, welcomes artists, students, and opera audiences for intimate performances and conversations with our industry’s leading artists and rising talent.
Join us throughout the year at our National Opera Center and in broadcasts online as we learn the inner workings of the industry and witness the talent shaping its future. Following each event, you’re invited to meet the guests and artists for a casual reception.
Tickets are now on sale for the 2023-2024 Onstage Season. All events begin at 7:00 p.m. ET and will take place in person at OPERA America's National Opera Center and digitally via livestream.
Check out the full lineup below and book your tickets today.
Anthony Davis in Conversation
Thursday, October 19, 2023
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST
In Person at the National Opera Center & Livestreamed
Shortly before his Metropolitan Opera debut, renowned composer Anthony Davis joins Marc A. Scorca, president/CEO of OPERA America, for a conversation about his career in opera: from the ground-breaking premiere of X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X in 1985 to his Pulitzer Prize-winning Central Park Five to the upcoming opening of X at the Met.
Anthony Davis in Conversation is part of a composer mini-series this Onstage season, including Jake Heggie (September 27, 2023) and Terence Blanchard (April 25, 2024).
2023-2024 Season

Jake Heggie in Conversation
Celebrated composer Jake Heggie discussed his multidecade career in opera on the occasion of his premiere at The Met.

Anthony Davis in Conversation
Renowned composer Anthony Davis discusses his trajectory in opera from the 1980s to his first production at The Met.

2023 Awards for Digital Excellence in Opera
The 2023 Awards for Digital Excellence in Opera recognizes the best operatic work created for digital platforms.

Creators in Concert: Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
Enjoy a showcase of works directed by multi-hyphenate artist Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj.

Creators in Concert: Canadian New Work
A performance of Canadian new work presented in collaboration with the Association for Opera in Canada.

Samantha Hankey in Conversation
Renowned mezzo-soprano, Samantha Hankey, discusses with Marc A. Scorca her operatic career and performing worldwide.

Deborah Brevoort and Stephanie Fleischmann in Conversation
Librettists Deborah Brevoort & Stephanie Fleischmann, chat with Marc A. Scorca about libretto writing and more.

Creators in Concert: OPERA America’s IDEA Opera Resident Artists
A showcase of new work by IDEA Opera Resident Artists Laura Jobin-Acosta, Bonita Oliver, Yosvany Terry, & Qian Yi.

Terence Blanchard in Conversation
Acclaimed composer Terence Blanchard reflects on his celebrated career, from his roots in jazz to The Met.
Join our mailing list to stay in the loop on the 2023-2024 Onstage Season.
The 2023–2024 season of OPERA America Onstage is supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Programming at the National Opera Center is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Tickets
Members receive discounted tickets to all OPERA America Onstage events.
For assistance, contact us at Membership@operaamerica.org or 646.699.5248. To learn about becoming a member, visit Membership.
Explore Past Events
2022–2023 Season
2021–2022 Season
2020–2021 Season
2019–2020 Season
- The Stonewall Operas
- Angel Blue in Conversation
- Houston Grand Opera Emerging Artist Recital
- Minnesota Opera Emerging Artist Recital
- The Challenges of Mixing Family and Career
- The Art of the Conductor
2018–2019 Season
- Creators in Concert: Laura Kaminsky
- Ryan Speedo Greene in Conversation
- Emerging Artist Recital: Florida Grand Opera Studio
- Emerging Artist Recital: Wolf Trap Opera
- Creators in Concert: Gregory Spears
- Emerging Artist Recital: Chautauqua Opera
- Emerging Artist Recital: Saratoga Opera
- Greer Grimsley in Conversation
2017–2018 Season
- Emerging Artist Recital: Palm Beach Opera Benenson Young Artists
- Creators in Concert: Kamala Sankaram
- Anthony Roth Constanzo in Conversation
- Emerging Artist Recital: Songfest’s Marc and Eva Stern Fellowship Awardees
- Michael Fabiano in Conversation
- Angela Meade in Conversation
- Emerging Artist Recital: Michigan Opera Theatre Studio
- Ailyn Pérez in Conversation
- Emerging Artist Recital: Alan M. and Joan Taub Ades Vocal Competition Winners
2016–2017 Season
- Emerging Artist Recital: Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition Winner
- Creators in Concert: Matthew Aucoin
- David Henry Hwang in Conversation
- Emerging Artist Recital: Florentine Opera Studio Artists
- Jamie Barton in Conversation
- Emerging Artist Recital: Houston Grand Opera Studio Artists
- Thomas Hampson in Conversation
- Emerging Artist Recital: Opera Index 2015 Arthur E. Walters Memorial Award Winner
- Creators in Concert: William Bolcom
- Emerging Artist Recital: Arizona Opera Studio Artists
- Renée Fleming in Conversation
2015–2016 Season
- Masters at Work: Crafting an Opera with Carlisle Floyd
- Emerging Artist Recital: Opera Columbus Cooper-Bing Vocal Competition
- Creators in Concert: Jennifer Higdon
- Emerging Artist Recital: Opera Philadelphia Emerging Artists
- Joyce DiDonato in Conversation
- New Opera Showcase
- Emerging Artist Recital: The Glimmerglass Festival Young Artists
- Sondra Radvanovsky in Conversation
- Creators in Concert: Jake Heggie
- Isabel Leonard in Conversation
- Emerging Artist Recital: Jensen Foundation Competition Winner
2014–2015 Season
- Christopher Alden in Conversation
- Double Date: Bolcom & Morris, Burton & Musto
- Emerging Artist Recital: Fort Worth Opera and the Opera Guild of Fort Worth 2014 McCammon Voice Competition Winner
- Creators in Concert: Tobias Picker
- Christine Goerke in Conversation
- Emerging Artist Recital: Boston Lyric Opera
- Creators in Concert: David T. Little
- Emerging Artist Recital: Washington National Opera 2015 Cafritz Young Artists
- Sherrill Milnes in Conversation
- Emerging Artist Recital: 2014 Music Academy of the West Marilyn Horne Song Competition Winners
2013–2014 Season
- Emerging Artist Recital: Music Academy of the West 2012 Marilyn Horne Song Competition Winners
- Concert: "Songs of Celebration – An Anniversary Toast"
- Emerging Artist Recital: Chautauqua Opera Young Artist Recital Winners
- Concert: OPERA America Songbook
- Creators in Concert: Mark Adamo
- Susan Graham in Conversation
- Lawrence Brownlee in Conversation
- Creators in Concert: Paola Prestini
- Creators in Concert: Ricky Ian Gordon
2012–2013 Season
- Salon with Anthony Davis
- Lotfi Mansouri in Conversation
- Concert I: OPERA America Songbook
- Carlisle Floyd in Conversation
- Salon with Kevin Puts
- Salon with Missy Mazzoli
- Salon with Douglas Cuomo
- Bartlett Sher in Conversation
- Concert II: OPERA America Songbook
- Saluting Julius Rudel, in Conversation with Diana Soviero, Frank Corsaro, and Spiro Malas
- Salon with Gene Scheer
- Eric Owens in Conversation
- Recital: "The Americas," with soprano Jennifer Aylmer and pianist Timothy Long