The only professional opera

Opera

Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...

 company in Indiana

Indiana

Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...

, the Indianapolis Opera hosts three fully staged productions a season in addition to supporting a Young Artist Program and various local events. The company is led by Executive Director, John Pickett, and Artistic Director, James Caraher.

History

"Indianapolis Opera has presented 109 operatic productions representing the work of 32 different composers, including 13 composers who wrote in the 20th century. Selected works range from standard classics to new and/or less-performed works, balancing musical style and language as well as comedy and tragedy."

The Frank and Katrina Basile Opera Center

"In 2008 local business person, Bill Oesterle, purchased the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church building in the Indianapolis Meridian Kessler neighborhood and leased it to the Indianapolis Opera to use for rehearsals, educational programming and smaller performances. Major performances remain at Butler University's Clowes Memorial Hall.

2007/2008 season

• The Magic Flute, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (September 28-30) Starring: Daniel Holmes (Tamino), Julia Kogan (Queen of the Night), Andrew Wilkowske (Papageno), Marnie Breckenridge
  Marnie Breckenridge
  Marnie Breckenridge is an American singer based out of California's Napa Valley. She is a soprano and sings opera.She graduated from Pacific Union College in Angwin, overlooking the Napa Valley, with a bachelor's degree in music in 1993...
  
   (Pamina)
• Tosca, Giacomo Puccini (March 14-16) Starring: Stella Zambalis
  Stella Zambalis
  Stella Zambalis is an American spinto soprano born in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been called one of the best sopranos in the world today.-Education and early career:...
  
   (Tosca), William Joyner (Cavaradossi), Victor Benedetti (Scarpia), Mark Gilgallon (Sacristan)
• Les Contes d'Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann), Jacques Offenbach (May 2-4) Starring: Gran Wilson
  Gran Wilson
  Gran Wilson is an American operatic lyric tenor.Wilson was born in Bessemer, Alabama, and studied at Samford University and Indiana University School of Music....
  
   (Hoffmann), Arthur Woodley (Four Villains), Kirsten Gunlogson (Nicklausse), Laura Pedersen
  Laura Pedersen
  Laura Pedersen is an American author who often cites her developing years in Western New York in her writing. She attended public school in the Sweet Home Central District of Amherst, NY, starting with kindergarten at Maplemere Elementary School in 1969...
  
   (Antonia), Mark Gilgallon (Luther & Crespel)

2008/2009 season

• Il Trovatore, Giuseppe Verdi (October 3-5)
• Hansel and Gretel, Engelbert Humperdinck (November 21-23)
• The Pirates of Penzance, Arthur Sullivan and William Gilbert (March 13-15)
• Das Rheingold, Richard Wagner (May 15-17)

2009/2010 season

• Ariadne on Naxos, Richard Strauss
• La Boheme, Giacomo Puccini
• The Mikado, Arthur Sullivan and William Gilbert - POSTPONED

2010/2011 season

• The Mikado, Arthur Sullivan and William Gilbert (October 15-17) Starring: Robert Orth (Ko-Ko), Laura Portune (Yum-Yum), Patrick Miller (Nanki-Poo), Mark Gilgallon (Pish-Tush)
• La Tragedie de Carmen, George Bizet (March 11-20)
• La Traviata, Giuseppe Verdi (May 13-15)Starring: Maureen O'Flynn (Violetta), Richard Paul Frank (Germont), Scott Piper ( Alfredo), Mark Gilgallon (Dr. Grenvil)

Opera events

• Operapalooza: Indianapolis Opera hosted a two day Opera and Music festival at the Basile Opera Center September 11 - 12, 2009.
• Lobsterpalooza: IO will host a Lobster Bake fundraiser at the Basile Opera Center October 8, 2010.