Opera Birmingham

About Opera Birmingham Opera Birmingham, Alabama's preeminent professional opera company, has been captivating audiences with high-caliber operatic productions for over six decades. Established in 1955 as the Birmingham Civic Opera, the company was initially led by Martha Dick McClung, director of Opera Theater at Birmingham-Southern College. Its inaugural production was Smetana’s "The Bartered Bride," quickly followed by Puccini’s "Madama Butterfly" the subsequent year. Over the years, Opera Birmingham has staged more than 50 different operas, attracting hundreds of esteemed operatic talents from across the globe to the city of Birmingham. In 1986, the company merged with Southern Regional Opera and rebranded as Birmingham Opera Theater for the 1987 season. It adopted its current name, Opera Birmingham, in 1996. Under the dynamic leadership of General Director Keith A. Wolfe-Hughes since January 2015, the company has continued to flourish. Wolfe-Hughes, who brought with him a wealth of experience from his fourteen seasons with Fort Worth Opera, has been instrumental in diversifying the company's repertoire and enhancing community engagement through innovative programs. Opera Birmingham has a long-standing tradition of excellence, with a repertoire that spans classic to contemporary works. Notable productions include Georges Bizet's "Carmen," Benjamin Britten's "Curlew River," and the world premiere of Carla Lucero and Marianna Mott Newirth’s "Touch" in 2024. The company also actively participates in community outreach, offering a variety of accessibility services, holding auditions for new talent, and running an annual vocal competition. The Opera Birmingham Chorus, under the guidance of Chorusmaster Daniel Seigel, is a vital component of the company's success. The chorus engages in rigorous rehearsal schedules and performs in the company's fully-staged operas as well as in annual holiday concerts. Additionally, the chorus hosts its own fundraiser, the Chorus Cabaret. The organization is overseen by a dedicated Board of Directors, with T. Brooks Proctor serving as President, and is supported by the Bel Canto Society, sponsors, and generous donations from the public. Opera Birmingham continues to enrich the cultural landscape of the region, offering season tickets and special savings for its patrons, and hosting events such as the Vocal Competition 2024 and Opera Shots. For further information, to support, or to join the mailing list, interested parties are encouraged to visit Opera Birmingham's official channels or contact the organization directly.