Opera Colorado General & Artistic Director Greg Carpenter to Resign

After over two decades, Greg Carpenter will resign as the Ellie Caulkins General & Artistic Director of Opera Colorado, effective at the conclusion of the 2024-25 Season. His departure marks the end of a remarkable era for the company, during which time he has made significant contributions to the growth and artistic development of the organization.

Since joining the company in 2004 as Director of Development and later becoming General & Artistic Director in 2007, Carpenter has been instrumental in shaping its artistic vision. His tenure has been marked by a commitment to innovative programming, including the world premieres of Lori Laitman’s The Scarlet Letter and Gerald Cohen’s Steal A Pencil for Me, as well as six new works and several “firsts” in the company’s history. His vision brought groundbreaking productions to the stage, such as Tom Cipullo’s one-act operas After Life and Josephine, Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell’s The Shining, and Korngold’s Die tote Stadt. Under his guidance, Opera Colorado also established its first Music Director position, prioritizing the quality of the Opera Colorado Orchestra and Chorus by hiring conductor Ari Pelto and Chorus Master Sahar Nouri to lead these ensembles to new heights. Carpenter’s dedication to expanding the company’s repertoire has enriched Denver’s cultural landscape and garnered national attention, establishing Opera Colorado as a leading force in the American opera scene.

In addition to his artistic achievements, Carpenter made significant strides in strengthening
Opera Colorado’s financial and organizational foundations. He established a professional
fundraising department, resulting in a fivefold increase in the company’s endowment. His
strategic leadership led to the creation of the Opera Colorado Opera Center, which unified the company’s administrative and rehearsal facilities. He also placed a strong emphasis on
education and community engagement, supporting a nationally recognized Artist in Residence Program that has become a major source of sponsorship revenue and community visibility.

Carpenter's distinguished career in the performing arts spans several decades. Before joining Opera Colorado, he held key positions at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, where he served as Director of Development for the National Symphony Orchestra. He also managed significant events at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, including the prestigious Marian Anderson International Vocal Arts Competition and the William Kapell International Piano Competition. A former professional opera singer, Carpenter performed leading and supporting roles with companies such as Glimmerglass Opera, Central City Opera, and Sarasota Opera before transitioning to arts administration.

“On behalf of the entire Board, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Greg for his tireless dedication, his visionary leadership, and the indelible mark he has left on Opera Colorado. His contributions will be felt for many years to come,” says Board Chair Richard Koseff.

Ellie Caulkins, Lifetime Honorary Chair of the Opera Colorado Board of Directors, also praised Carpenter's contributions: “Greg has not only elevated Opera Colorado to national prominence but has also ensured that opera remains a vital and accessible part of our community. He will always have a special place in the history of our company.”

Reflecting on his time with Opera Colorado, Carpenter remarked, “As I approach my twentieth anniversary with Opera Colorado, I believe that the time is right for a change in leadership, enabling the Board of Directors to establish a new vision for Opera Colorado and hire a new General Director that will bring that vision to life during this new chapter. My tenure at Opera Colorado has been one of the most rewarding periods in my life. It has been an honor and a pleasure serving this company and community.”

The Board of Directors will begin the process of identifying and appointing a successor in the coming months, ensuring a smooth transition that honors Carpenter's legacy while paving the way for the next chapter in Opera Colorado's storied history.