Annapolis Opera has provided professionally staged operas and concerts for the mid-Atlantic region for over 40 years.
Mission
The mission of Annapolis Opera is to enhance the cultural life of the region by presenting artistically excellent opera programming and educational experiences while furthering the development of emerging performing arts professionals.
Vision
The vision of the Annapolis Opera is to be recognized as a vital community cultural asset and partner; a valued source of knowledge and appreciation of opera as an art form; a vehicle for the development of emerging performing arts professionals; an innovative, inclusive and financially robust regional opera company.
History
In 1972 a group of artists from the Annapolis Summer Garden Theater Youth Group got together and gave birth to the Annapolis Opera Company. Their search to cast the title role for Gian-Carlo Menotti’s The Medium led them to soprano Martha Wright, an active performer, and producer, who turned down the role but instead agreed to produce the opera and more importantly for the future of Annapolis Opera, to take on leading the organization. This became the very first Annapolis Opera production and Martha Wright became its first President.
The Annapolis community supported the company from the outset. For seven years the company used several performance spaces: the U.S. Naval Academy, St. John’s College, Annapolis High School, and even the Hilton Hotel ballroom, which was the site of the first performance, before finding a permanent home in the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts as a founding resident company in 1979, a relationship that continues today.
Annapolis Opera has benefited from the leadership of Artistic Director, Ronald J. Gretz, and Stage Director, Braxton Peters, who have headed the artistic staff for many years, providing artistic continuity and integrity. The company has expanded into the community and provided educational programming for all ages including special operas for children and lectures on the art form to organizations and community groups. The Annual Vocal Competition, established in 1988, is a recognized stepping stone for young artists in the Mid-Atlantic region in their career development.
Since its founding, forty-five years ago, seventeen Presidents have led the organization and carried Annapolis Opera to its current position. Members of the Board of Trustees have included several mayors of Annapolis, retired leaders of government and business, educators, retired opera singers…people from all walks of life who share a love of opera.
Annapolis Opera Diversity & Inclusion Statement
As an organization, Annapolis Opera is committed to using the insight we were afforded by events of 2020, to build upon our mission by not only furthering the development of emerging performing arts professionals, but we will also ensure that we are intentionally creating a diverse group of emerging performing arts professionals.
Annapolis Opera is committed to more diversity through our programs, on our stage, in our audience, and on our staff. We want to ensure that members of our local community recognize the Annapolis Opera as a place where they are supported, where they are represented, and where they belong.
We are working with organizations, like the Black Opera Alliance, to collect data that will enable us to better understand and improve our industry.