Clone of Art Grows Philly - Opera Company of Philadelphia

The Opera Company of Philadelphia has created a culture of community engagement, both within the organization and in our region.

Since its inception in 1975, the Opera Company has committed itself to bringing first-rate operatic productions to the city of Philadelphia--but the organization’s mission is far more ambitious than just presenting world-class productions for existing opera fans. Their programming constantly aims to integrate opera into mainstream culture to provide all Philadelphians with dynamic arts experiences which elevate their lives, provide educations opportunities and bring communities together in new ways. In addition to Adult Education Programs which help both new and longstanding patrons enhance their appreciation and understanding of opera, the Opera Company offers performance classes to middle school and high school students who want to experience the magic of this dynamic art form first-hand.

As part of its work to engage and enrich the lives of young people through the spirit of opera, the Opera Company partnered with Art Sanctuary for the Hip H’opera Project. This special program paired ten young aspiring poets from the North Star program with professional composers and singers to create a new genre of music all their own, focused on blending themes around the urban experience of living in Philadelphia with classical music. From composing their poems to hearing professional scores inspired by their work to performing live for their families, friends and communities, the students who participated in this artistic journey learned new ways to express themselves, build their confidence, and challenge themselves to create.

In September 2011, the Opera Company kicked off its Community Concert Series with a performance of Carmen jointly presented by Artistas y Músicos Latino Americanos (AMLA) to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. When speaking about the event, Director of Community Programs Michael Bolton noted how the partnership blended diverse communities that might not otherwise have had the opportunity to share an arts experience together, describing the spirit of the collaboration as, “you share what you do, we share what we do, and it embraces everybody.”

With support from the Knight Foundation, the Company brings live opera to unsuspecting community members with its Random Acts of Culture performances. The first pop-up concert was staged on October 30, 2010, and featured 650 choristers performing Handel’s Messiah for Macy’s shoppers, accompanied by the notes of the Wanamaker Organ. Following the viral Youtube success of that first event, the Opera Company has continued to surprise and delight Philadelphians with more unexpected concerts in public places such as the Free Library (November 1, 2011) and Reading Terminal Market (January 8, 2011). For anyone seeing opera performed for the first time, or just being reacquainted with opera in these unconventional settings, these performances were wonderful gifts, and completely unique Philadelphia experiences.

With all of its stellar community engagement projects, performance classes and creative audience building efforts, the Opera Company continually serves and enriches the lives of Philadelphians through the power and joy of performance and song.