Pittsburgh Opera was an exceptional host for Opera Conference 2023, from a delightful opening reception to compelling performances at the Bitz Opera Factory and the August Wilson African American Cultural Cen­ter. Our focus on the human dimension of opera resonated deeply with attendees.

It is certainly appropriate for opera companies to aspire to the highest possible artistic standards. But we have become increasingly aware that producing great art cannot be an excuse for enduring unsafe and dis­respectful workplaces, for ignoring audiences’ needs for welcoming experiences, and for failing to repre­sent the fullest possible spectrum of human stories on our stages. We are making progress but must continue to be responsive to our intersecting responsibilities to be excellent and humane.

In a conference session with general directors, we learned more about import­ant dualities: While some long-standing audiences have not returned to theaters, more newcomers than ever before attended new operas last season as well as works from the inherited repertoire. At the same time, efforts to contain rising costs are lead­ing to innovative productions in smaller venues. Experimentation has become the accepted norm across marketing and development departments. Despite prevail­ing uncertainty, members were energized by the opportunity to step away from the daily pressures at home and think broadly about long-term strategies with colleagues.

Although we will seek ways all year to give our members chances to engage in discus­sion about key issues, we were delighted to announce that next year’s conference will be a very special one. Opera Conference 2024 will take place in conjunction with the sec­ond World Opera Forum from June 3 to 8, 2024, hosted by Los Angeles Opera. The first World Opera Forum, organized by the Teatro Real in Madrid in 2018, was the suc­cessful realization of a long-held hope among members of OPERA America, Opera Europa, and Ópera Latinoamérica that discussion about the future of opera should be an international conversation that reflects the global nature of the art form.

The second World Opera Forum will engage opera leaders from around the world in an inter­national conversation about the future of the art form and strategies required to guide the sector through today’s dynamic landscape of art, politics, and technology. All of us are experi­encing a world changed by the global pandemic. Yet, within an ever-changing landscape, opera retains its unique power as a story-based, multimedia form that can strengthen community ties, address civic issues, and inspire audiences across economic, social, and racial divides.

In addition to two productions at Los Angeles Opera, our schedule will be filled with per­formances from many of the opera companies that enrich the Los Angeles region, forming a virtual opera festival for our members and visitors from abroad. The combined World Opera Forum and Opera Conference will be a week filled with art, ideas, and networking at the conclu­sion of which participants will leave with new insights and relationships that circle the world.

I wish you a wonderful summer filled with opera and time for good thinking!