Agency Details:

Opera Omaha

Opera Omaha's mission is to enrich the quality of life in our community by creating professional opera and music theater, which uniquely combine the performing arts to express humanity's deepest emotions and highest aspirations.

Description:
Throughout its history, Opera Omaha has remained committed to developing programs and works in expression of its mission. Opera Omaha is a regional opera company and attracts season subscribers and single ticket buyers from the states of Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, South Dakota, Kansas and beyond. Opera Omaha also provides music theater experiences for residents of other rural and urban areas in Nebraska and Iowa through its educational touring program (the professional ensemble, Heartland Opera Theater), and additional outreach programming.

History:
Opera Omaha was formed in 1958 as the Omaha Civic Opera Society. Until 1967, the organization depended upon local talent to fill artistic and technical roles. As the Opera continued to grow and expand, the Society sought to fill leading roles with notables such as Richard Tucker and Frederica Von Stade. This increased Opera Omaha's regional and national visibility and strengthened the Company's ability to sustain a larger operation. The Society, now Opera Omaha, began to develop the resources to produce three operas annually; expand its educational presentations; and apply for and receive NEA funding. By 1990, the Opera Omaha Foundation (a separate non-profit organization) was incorporated, and a guild was organized. The 1990s were characterized by expanded outreach, financial challenges, the addition of Hal France as artistic director/principal conductor, and new work creation. Artists such as Samuel Ramey, Placido Domingo and Beverly Sills have graced Omaha stages for Opera Omaha.

Contact people:

Kelly Blice, (phone), (email) Penny Gold, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (402) 346-7323

Address:

1625 Farnam St., Ste. 100 Omaha, NE 68134 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.operaomaha.org

Directions:

Opera Omaha's offices are located at the corner of 17th & Farnam Streets in downtown Omaha. We are directly east of the City/County Building and diagonally located across from the Woodmen Tower.   Nearest Bus Stop: 16th & Farnam, .25 minute walk

Last updated on August 3, 2009