Opera San José

About Opera San José Opera San José (OSJ) is a distinguished opera company situated in the vibrant heart of Silicon Valley. Known for its unique structure, OSJ is the only opera company in the United States that maintains a year-long resident company of principal artists. Founded in 1984 by the late Irene Dalis, a renowned mezzo-soprano and a principal artist at the Metropolitan Opera for twenty consecutive seasons, OSJ has been a beacon of operatic artistry and education. The company is celebrated for its commitment to the development of emerging operatic talent, providing a nurturing environment for artists to hone their craft through performance opportunities. OSJ presents a mainstage subscription series of four operas each year, showcasing a range of works from beloved classics to contemporary pieces, including world and West Coast premieres. The productions are staged at the historic California Theatre in San Jose, a meticulously restored 1927 vaudeville and film house that reopened in 2004 as a premier performance venue. In addition to its mainstage productions, Opera San José has made significant strides in digital programming with the establishment of the Heiman Digital Media Studio and Initiative. This innovative media lab enables the company to produce and design operatic works specifically for digital capture, expanding its reach to audiences worldwide. OSJ's commitment to the community is evident through its extensive educational programs for both youth and adults, and its community-wide performances, which include outdoor concerts and events. These initiatives are designed to entertain, educate, and cultivate a love for opera among diverse audiences. Under the leadership of figures like Maestro David Rohrbaugh, General Director Larry Hancock, and Music Director and Principal Conductor Joseph Marcheso, OSJ has flourished. Khori Dastoor, who assumed the role of General Director in Fall 2019, continues to guide the company towards new heights. Financially prudent and well-managed from its inception, OSJ has never incurred debt and maintains a modest cash reserve. The company also owns significant assets, including two operations facilities and artist housing, reflecting its stability and foresight. Opera San José's mission is to maintain a professional, fiscally responsible opera company of artistic excellence for San José and its environs. It aims to discover, retain, and develop outstanding emerging professional singers, provide them with repeated performance opportunities, and develop, entertain, and educate audiences from the extended community. This mission was reaffirmed by the Opera San José Board of Directors on April 22, 2015. Throughout its history, Opera San José has presented over 150 opera productions, including five world premieres among the 62 titles in its repertoire. Its educational performances for K-12 students number over 2,350, and it has offered nearly 3,400 performances for adult audiences. The company's dedication to artistic excellence and community engagement has earned it a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for responsible fiscal management, a testament to its enduring legacy and impact on the world of opera.