Causes: Arts & Culture, Opera

Mission: Portland Opera exists to inspire, challenge and uplift our audiences by creating productions of high artistic quality that celebrate the beauty and breadth of opera.

Results: The past seven years under Chris Mattaliano’s leadership have witnessed significant improvements in artistic quality, ticket sales, contributions and overall fiscal strength and stability. Research conducted in the summer of 2009 revealed that 92% of patrons feel that artistic quality has significant improved under Mr. Mattaliano’s leadership. At the same time, earned revenue has increased 50% and contributions have grown 60%. This dual commitment to both artistic excellence and fiscal responsibility has led to an almost unparalleled record of balanced budgets over 12 of the past 13 seasons and a projected surplus for this season, despite the worst economy in decades. Portland Opera has long been a leader in making a wide variety of operatic repertoire more accessible to a diverse audience. In 2010, the Company recorded and released the first and widely acclaimed recording of Philip Glass Orphée to finally share this great American opera with a wider audience. Portland Opera is one of the few major North American companies to offer fully produced chamber opera productions in addition to large mainstage productions. We are the only opera company in the United States to offer a separate subscription series of nationally touring Broadway shows, providing wider access to musical entertainment and additional revenue to enhance our ability to produce increasingly sophisticated opera productions. We also bring opera to every corner of Oregon and our region with a state-wide tour and region-wide broadcasts. Access for young people and the community is a major focus of Portland Opera’s mission. Community Outreach and Education efforts include Portland Opera to GO, one of the West Coast’s largest arts education programs. This region-wide school tour of a 50-minute, English language adaptation of a classic opera annually presents up to 100 performances and community concerts in inner-city and rural communities throughout the Northwest, reaching as many as 25,000 young people. Other outreach events, such as Student Dress Rehearsals, live opera simulcasts and public rehearsals, rush tickets, public concerts and previews, brown bag lunches and a monthly radio program develop audiences for today and tomorrow, building enthusiasm for opera among a broad public audience. Portland Opera also remains deeply committed to building the next generation of opera artists. Established in 2005, the Portland Opera Studio Artists (POSA) program, provides a “bridge” from the conservatory world to the professional stage for 4-5 young singers from the nation’s finest vocal conservatories Unlike many residency programs that send young artists on the road as a part of a school tour, the Studio Artists join the company for a rigorous two-year training and performance program. They perform the supporting roles in the mainstage operas, represent the Company in many community activities, and are featured in the leading roles in a fully-produced, fully professional chamber opera that is a regular part of Portland Opera’s subscription season.

Target demographics: Portland Opera serves more than 400,000 people annually from every age, culture, geography and socio-economic group throughout Oregon and SW Washington.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 250,000 adults and 35,000 young people who attend operas, Broadway shows, educational programs and hundreds of free concerts, previews, performances and lectures throughout the community.

Geographic areas served: All of Oregon and Southwest Washington

Programs: Portland opera completed its 50th season in june of 2015. Portland opera exists to inspire, challenge and uplift our audiences by creating productions of high artistic quality that celebrate the beauty and breadth of opera. On and beyond the stage, we share opera with more than 400,000 people annually through free concerts, previews, lectures, broadcasts and other community programs, including education efforts that reach more than 25,000 young people. The company is also a leader in the development of new opera talent, with portland opera studio artist program, considered one of the finest professional residencies for early-career opera singers in the nation. Fy 2014-2015 operas included die fledermaus, carmen, showboat and rakes progress. The company works closely with schools to provide educational and outreach opportunities for certain shows, including backstage tours, "chat backs" with cast members, master classes, and related activities in addition to student group and rush ticket discounts. Our group sales department works closely with a number of not-for-profit organizations on gala and benefit events.