Tri-Cities Opera

Tri-Cities Opera (TCO) is a prominent regional opera company located in Binghamton, New York, that has been a cultural mainstay in the Southern Tier of New York since its inception. Founded in 1949 by Peyton Hibbitt and the late Carmen Savoca, TCO has built a reputation for its commitment to professional-quality opera performances and the development of young artists. The mission of Tri-Cities Opera is to uphold the vision of its founders by producing professional-quality opera that utilizes the talents of young artists. The company is dedicated to setting a standard for artistic excellence while enriching, engaging, enhancing, and educating the community through the power of live musical storytelling. This mission is achieved through various initiatives, including the Resident Artist Program, main-stage productions, and educational outreach. TCO's Resident Artist Program is a postgraduate education program that provides talented young singers with the opportunity to learn the discipline of opera through performance. These artists are selected through a competitive audition process and are given the chance to perform leading roles in major productions. In collaboration with Binghamton University, the program also offers selected students professional stage experience and preparation. The company's performance schedule predominantly serves the Southern Tier of New York, featuring main-stage productions at the Forum Theater, intimate black-box productions, and recitals at the Clinton Street Opera Center, among other venues. Tri-Cities Opera also operates Opera-Go-Round (OGR), the self-supporting educational touring arm that reaches over 17,000 students annually with musical programs tailored to young audiences, including one-act operas for children. These programs adhere to New York State arts education standards and often provide children with their first experience of live musical storytelling. Throughout its history, Tri-Cities Opera has been recognized for its contributions to the arts. It has been honored by the National Board of Directors of Opera America, received the President’s Medal from Binghamton University, and was awarded the New York State Council on the Arts Governor’s Award. TCO's founders, Peyton Hibbitt and Carmen Savoca, dedicated their careers to training young singers and have been acknowledged for their significant impact on the arts community. Hibbitt, who passed away in 2019, was also the founder of the New York State Opera League and received numerous accolades for his work, including the Broome County Arts Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Carmen Savoca, who passed away in 1998, served as the Artistic Director of Tri-Cities Opera for 49 years and was instrumental in directing the majority of the company's productions. Both founders were also involved with Binghamton University's Master of Music in Opera program and received various honors for their service to the arts. Tri-Cities Opera's commitment to the arts extends beyond performances and artist development. The company also maintains a Set & Costume Rental business, offering a wide range of opera settings and costumes for rental to other opera companies. TCO acknowledges the indigenous peoples on whose land their facilities are built, specifically the Haudenosaunee and Algonkian speaking peoples, and honors the enduring relationship between these nations and the land. Supported by awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts, as well as grants from various foundations, Tri-Cities Opera continues to be a beacon of operatic artistry and education in New York State. The company is located at 315 Clinton Street in Binghamton, New York, and remains a vital part of the region's cultural landscape.