Formation | 1975 |
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Type | Theatre group |
Purpose | Opera |
Location |
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Artistic director(s)
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Kevin Patterson |
Website | www |
Indianapolis Opera is an opera company in Indianapolis, Indiana. The only professional opera company in Indiana, it hosts a number of fully staged productions each season in addition to supporting a Young Artist Program. The company is led by General Director Kevin Patterson and Board President Arnold C. Hanish.
Since its founding in 1975, Indianapolis Opera has presented 109 operatic productions representing the work of 32 different composers, including 13 composers who wrote in the 20th century. Selected works range from standard classics to new or less-performed works, balancing musical style and language as well as comedy and tragedy.
The company suffered from economic troubles causing the canceling of its final shows in 2014. However, 2015 was a successful year thanks to the new direction of Patterson, who was hired in February, along with his young, new staff assisting the Opera in the right direction. Kevin Patterson said, "We want to thrive and not just survive" regarding to the Opera's fresh start.
In 2008, Bill Oesterle, a local business entrepreneur, purchased the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church building in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood of Indianapolis and leased it to the Indianapolis Opera. The Indianapolis Opera went on to use the building for rehearsals, educational programs, and smaller performances. In 2015, the Opera began producing at the Schrott Center for the Arts on the campus of Butler University.
As a young artist development program, The Center for Resident Artists at Indianapolis Opera plays a key role in delivering operatic performances and experiences to audiences in diverse setting throughout the state of Indiana and neighboring states. Young artists also rehearse and study with visiting artists and professional mentors and have the opportunity to design and execute audience development performance activities.
Opera's Rising Stars is presented by Indianapolis Opera and Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. The concert features finalists from Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, Chorus and Orchestra. The concert will be at the Schrott Center for the Arts at Butler University.