 Opera Carolina logo | |
| Predecessor | Charlotte Opera Association |
|---|---|
| Established | 1948 |
| Merger of | North Carolina Opera (1986) |
| Type | Non-profit |
| Location | |
| Services | Professional opera company |
| Membership | Opera America, AFRP |
General Director | Dr. Shantè Williams |
Artistic Director & Deputy General Director | Claudio Ferri |
Artistic & Programs planning manager | Gail Garvin |
Senior Director of Development | Alina MacNichol |
| Budget | $2.9 million |
| Staff | 8 |
| Volunteers | The Opera Carolina Chorus, Opera Guild of Charlotte, Bravo! Young Professionals, Supernumeraries, and others |
| Website | Official website |
Opera Carolina is a professional opera company inCharlotte, North Carolina. Founded in 1948 by the Charlotte Music Club as theCharlotte Opera Association, the company was renamed Opera Carolina after its 1986 merger with North Carolina Opera which combined the main stage, educational, and touring operations of the two companies.[1] Its past leadership has included Artistic Directors Richard Marshall and Charles Rosekrans, and General Director James Wright. From 2000 to 2023, Opera Carolina has been under the direction of General Director and Principal ConductorJames Meena. July 1, 2024 Dr. Shantè Williams is appointed new General Director.
Opera Carolina is a member ofOpera America[2] and is supported by the Arts & Science Council,[3] theNational Endowment for the Arts, and the North Carolina Arts Council.[4] Opera Carolina presents three main stage productions, featuring the Opera Carolina Chorus and theCharlotte Symphony Orchestra, in the Belk Theater in theBlumenthal Performing Arts Center. Opera Carolina also presented an annual concert, Art • Poetry • Music, at the Knight Theater. Opera Carolina's season begins in October and runs until mid April.
Opera Carolina has remained solvent during the recession, which began in 2008, while other opera companies of similar size have closed their doors. The company has achieved this through discontinuing the Love Notes concert, reducing the season to three main productions, reduction in staff, and increased frugality in production costs. Also, Opera Carolina enjoys sustained corporate and private charitable support.[citation needed]
Opera Carolina was among the earliest performing arts companies to give live on-stage performances after closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]