October 26 – November 4
#OperaWeek

Ryan Speedo Green, Honorary Chair, Encourages Everyone to Experience Opera

Opera Advocacy Day 2018: Thursday, November 1

Opera companies, schools and organizations across North America will celebrate the 10th annual National Opera Week (operaamerica.org/OperaWeek) from Friday, October 26 through Sunday, November 4, 2018, by hosting nearly 150 events in their communities, fueling social media conversations and posting video messages. Part of National Opera Week for the third year, Opera Advocacy Day (November 1) empowers individuals to encourage legislation that supports the arts. National Opera Week and Opera Advocacy Day are coordinated by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera and the nation’s leading champion for American opera.

OPERA America is delighted to announce that renowned bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green is serving as the Honorary Chair of National Opera Week 2018, encouraging audiences to explore opera. “It’s such an amazing honor to be part of this special week because, for me, opera is the quintessential art form,” says Green. “When I went to my first opera at 15, I jumped through a door without knowing where it would lead. But when I got through that door, I was introduced to a world of complete majesty and beauty and history.”

Green welcomes audiences to National Opera Week in a video message, viewable at operaamerica.org/OperaWeek and on the organization’s YouTube channel (youtube.com/OPERAAmerica).

National Opera Week celebrates the vibrancy of opera in America today and conveys the excitement and importance of opera to a national and international audience. The strength and diversity of established opera companies, community opera ensembles, opera training programs and individual opera artists across North America will be on display through a wide array of activities.

This year’s Opera Week features an increased emphasis on social media, with an aim of broadening participation. Artists, opera staff and opera lovers are all invited to post video messages and lead social media conversations about the importance of opera in their lives. United behind the hashtag #OperaWeek, the opera community will demonstrate the excitement associated with this multimedia art form. Participants are also invited to apply a temporary Opera Week frame to their Facebook profile photos.
In-person events remain a valuable part of Opera Week, as well. This year, activities range from performances, family activities and lectures, to social events, behind-the-scenes tours and listening parties.

“Opera is thriving across the United States and Canada,” stated OPERA America President/CEO Marc A. Scorca. “Cities large and small are home to vibrant opera organizations that serve the public inside the opera house with resonant productions and in the community with meaningful relationships, performances in alternative venues, events for families and inspiring introductions to the magic of the art form. National Opera Week demonstrates and celebrates the diversity of our art form today.”

On Thursday, November 1, Opera Advocacy Day provides an opportunity for individuals who work in or love opera to urge federal, state and local lawmakers to support arts education, the cultural agencies and other policies and legislation that sustain opera and the performing arts. Facts, talking points and other resources are available on the National Opera Week website (operaamerica.org/OperaWeek) and through the Performing Arts Alliance (theperformingartsalliance.org), of which OPERA America is a founding member.

“Nothing makes a bigger difference than when policymakers hear from their constituents,” stated Brandon Gryde, director of government affairs at OPERA America. “Whether the issue being advocated for is arts education in our schools, visa processing for foreign guest artists or tax policies for nonprofits, change won’t happen if we don’t raise our voices. Opera Advocacy Day is a great opportunity for opera leaders, artists and lovers of the art form to share how opera and the performing arts make our communities healthier and more vibrant.”

Descriptions of select National Opera Week activities and lists of participating organizations and event locations may be found below.

Join the National Opera Week conversation on social media with #OperaWeek.

Select Activities

Boston Lyric Opera | Why Do the Arts Matter to You? (October 26)
BLO will ask its followers and staff to share why the arts matter to them and will then share pictures and videos using the hashtags #OperaWeek and #ArtsMatter. (online)

Opera Columbus | The Voice of Freedom (October 26)
This event introduces audiences to the operatic art form by celebrating African-American cultural history through song, including spirituals, gospel and works from the Harlem Renaissance.

Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts | OperaFest XI (October 27)
This two-day annual festival features CCPA graduate students performing opera at venues throughout the university. (Chicago, IL)

The Atlanta Opera | Belting on the BeltLine: Our Path to Healing (October 27)
This immersive performance and procession, which takes place on trails surrounding a civil rights exhibit, features narration from historian Karcheik Sims-Alvarado and musical performances from sopranos Jamye Alilaw and Minka Wiltz. (Atlanta, GA)

Minnesota Opera | Silent Night: A Soldier's Humanity and the Impact of WWI (October 29)
This free event includes a panel discussion exploring the intersection of art, war and humanity in the opera Silent Night. (Minneapolis, MN)

Opera Omaha | OPERAtion Storytime (October 29)
Presented in collaboration with the Omaha Public Library, this event introduces opera to the youngest audiences with a story time featuring an opera-themed book, as well as opera/vocal activities with an Opera Omaha Holland Community Artist Fellow. (Omaha, NE)

Virginia Opera | Student Night at the Opera (October 31 and November 2)
Virginia Opera welcomes student groups to the Harrison Opera House to enjoy final rehearsals of its operas. The October 31 date features not only fantastic opera, but also candy, costume prizes and unique selfie stations. (Norfolk, VA)

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers | Six Centuries of Opera and Media Technology in New York (November 1)
Mark Schubin will host this webcast examining the evolution of media and opera technologies in New York. (online)

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For press inquiries, contact Press@operaamerica.org or 212.796.8628.