More than half a century of artistic excellence and community engagement has earned The Dallas Opera a major role in shaping the national/international cultural reputation of Dallas. TDO has also made-and continues to make-an important contribution to the economic impact of the performing arts in North Texas.

Mississippi Opera, once known as the Jackson Opera Guild was started in 1945 mainly by the efforts for Mignonne Caldwell, the wife of John Caldwell. Her hard work with the support of an ever growing number of vocal and instrumental performers in the Jackson area created what was at the time one of only twelve organization in the entire United States. The group was officially incorporated in 1947 in hopes to promote and encourage the study and appreciation of Opera as an art form while developing operatic talent and performance.

PORTopera has quite an interesting inception story, dating back to the 1970s when Bruce Hangen, at that time Music Director for the Portland Symphony dreamed of forming an opera company in Maine. In 1985, Hangen accepted the Music Director position for the Omaha Symphony in Nebraska. This did not end his dreams of creating a summer season back in Maine and finally in 1994 the Portland State Theater became available. The time had come for Hangen and a group of friends and supporters created the company, then known as Portland Opera Repertory Theatre. The first production of the company was in July 1995 at the State Theater with Bizet's 'Carmen.' The overwhelming response led to another summer season in '96 with Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly.' In the second season the company also introduced PORTopera's Young Artists Program to help the careers of emerging young singers.

The first recorded opera performance in Tulsa dates back to 1904 with a production of Faust- just six years after the city was incorporated. Forty-four years later, in 1948, an official company was started, known today as Tulsa Opera. In the early years the Company presented opera and operettas twice yearly with only one or two paid professional singers but quickly it became evident that this was not enough. The company continued to grow with every season and is now the 18th oldest opera company in North America and has continued to grow and gain support over the years. Tulsa opera is now ranked among the ten favorite regional opera companies in the United States. The company now presents three grand opera each season and draws audiences from a five state region that includes Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Texas.

Seattle Opera has been one of the leading American opera companies since being founded in 1963. Presenting a mixture of European classics as well as new works of American opera, the company's five opera seasons continually advance the cultural life of the Pacific Northwest through education and performance. Seattle Opera strives to produce musically extraordinary, theatrically compelling operas by employing the highest quality casts, conductors, directors and designers. They have been so successful in this that they actually have the highest per capita attendance of any major opera company in the U.S. In addition to their mainstage productions however, the Company serves thousands more through its groundbreaking education programs, scenic rental program and other special projects.

Arizona Opera was originally known as Tucson Opera Company and founded in 1971 by a group of opera enthusiasts. The inaugural season was two performances of The Barber of Seville by Rossini in Tucson but by the 1976-77 season the company was performing their complete seasons in both Tucson and Phoenix. Now in the 42nd season, the company produces five grand operas throughout the state each season and is one of the only companies in the US that performs in two cities.

Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) was founded in 1976 and has risen to be New England's largest opera company. Each season the company produces three mainstage productions at the companies home, the Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre, in Boston and a the annual Opera Annex production in a found space. throughout New England. This season fulfills he mission of BLO which is to produce artistically excellent productions of a diverse repertoire that entertain and inspire audiences while featuring emerging operatic talent in order to engage and educate the community of all ages.

The Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT) has a rich history dating back to 1960 when it opened with Madama Butterfly with performances in McKinley High School Auditorium. The company has continued to evolve into what it is today- with international artists who have graced the most renowned stages as the New York Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, the Royal Opera house and many others through Europe, Asia and North America.

The San Francisco Opera celebrates its 90th year since it was founded by Gaetano Merola in 1923. Currently the second largest opera company in North America, the San Francisco Opera has grown from one production presented for two weeks to 75 performances of ten different operas running from September to July.

Minnesota Opera stems all the way back to 1963 when The Masque of Angelsby Dominick Argento was commissioned by the Walker Art Center for its performing arts program, Center Opera. The group continued to grow until it became its own entity in 1969 and changed the name in 1971 to the Minnesota Opera. The company quickly became known as an 'alternative opera company' to complement the traditional Metropolitan Opera tour that came through each year and the St. Paul Opera Company but in 1975 Minnesota Opera and St. Paul Opera merged and set their focus on both traditional repertory and contemporary opera.

Sarasota Opera has a long history of bringing opera to the people along the Gulf Coast. Starting in 1960 when the group was called Asolo Opera Guild the company presented a touring chamber-sized company, Turnau Opera's productions in the 320 seat Asolo Theater at the Sarasota Ringling Museum of Art. Starting in 1973 the company began producing their own productions when they recognized the need for a theater more conducive to opera. The company bought the former A.B. Edwards Theater and began renovations in 1982. In 1984 the company, now being called Sarasota Opera, opened the Sarasota Opera House which is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Opera Company of Philadelphia (OCP) has been opening its doors since 1975 when it committed itself to delivering outstanding productions of both traditional repertoire and new operatic works. The company assembles the finest international artists to educate, deepen and diversify the opera audience in the greater Philadelphia area. The company produces both large scale and more intimate chamber performances at the Academy of Music and in the Perelman Theater respectively. In addition to these two spaces the company frequently performs throughout the community. The OCP is so committed to new works that the General Directors David B Devan, OCP launched in 2011 the American Repertoire Program to produce a new American work in each of the next ten seasons as well as the nation's first collaborative Composer In Residence Program with New York's Gotham Chamber Opera and Music-Theatre Group.

Austin Lyric Opera became the first professional opera company in Austin when it was founded in May of 1986. It quickly became a cultural touchstone for the fine arts community in the Central Texas Region. Co-founders Joseph McClain and the late Dr. Walkter Ducloux quickly developed a company focused on 3 essential E's- Enrich, entertain and educate. This has only continued since its debut production of Mozart's The Magic Flute in January 1987 until now 26 years later.

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the net, continues its expansion into other areas of entertainment with our latest feature -The Regional Opera Company of the Week! This week's featured Opera Company is Opera Colorado in Denver celebrating its 30th anniversary!

Portland Opera is a vibrant and vital part of the cultural activity and identity in Oregon. With 48 years in the business, the company has earned a devoted public following throughout the state of Oregon and southwestern Washington. Read more about Portland Opera in this week's Regional Opera Company of the Week feature!

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the net, continues its expansion into other areas of entertainment with our latest feature -The Regional Opera Company of the Week! This week, we're thrilled to present you to Winter Opera St. Louis!

Opera Lafayette is an opera company based in Washington, DC that produces French operas from the 17th and 18th Centuries. It was founded in 1995 by Ryan Brown and performs at the Kennedy Center, The Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and Jazz at Lincoln's Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall. In February, the company made its international debut at the Opéra Royal de Versailles.

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the net, continues its expansion into other areas of entertainment with our latest feature - 'The Regional Opera Company of the Week'. This week's featured Opera Company is Boheme Opera New Jersey!

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the net, continues its expansion into other areas of entertainment with our latest feature - 'The Regional Opera Company of the Week'. This week's featured Opera Company is Florentine Opera Company in Wisconsin!

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the net, continues its expansion into other areas of entertainment. Following in the footsteps of the recently-launched 'Regional Dance Company of the Week', BWW is thrilled to bring you the latest - 'The Regional Opera Company of the Week'! This week's featured Opera Company is Tacoma Opera in Tacoma, Washington! Read on to learn more about Tacoma Opera and see photos from past productions!