22/23 Season in Review

Looking back on our 22-23 Season fills us with pride and a little bit of awe.

Through the support of our community, we created hundreds of artistic experiences for thousands of people in Omaha and throughout Nebraska.

Nebraska's only professional opera company

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In the Orpheum

In November, the bold new production of X, the Life and Times of Malcolm X brought the legacy of the Omaha native to the opera stage. Through partnership with the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, we were able to create an array of events to engage our community in celebrating this hometown leader, just after his historic induction into the Nebraska Hall of Fame, and before moving the production to the Metropolitan Opera in 2023.

Hearts broke during Puccini’s soaring Suor Angelica, then were sparked with laughter in The Marriage of Figaro, reminding us all of the joy and exhilarating power of the art form.

In the office

Behind the scenes, the Opera Omaha staff has worked in the past year to identify and realize our company values, examining how they manifest in the scope of our work.

Holland Community Opera Fellowship

Through this one-of-a-kind fellowship, we are uniquely positioned to use our resources to partner with and provide for our neighbors – especially those facing society’s most pressing systemic problems. This past season, some of the participants the Fellows have been privileged to engage with and learn from include:

Adults with disabilities who engage in The Art of Imagination courses at the Ollie Webb Center, Inc., co-directing performances in fall and spring designed to give participants an opportunity to enhance communication skills, confidence, and self-expression.

Residents at MICAH House, an emergency shelter serving families and women facing homelessness, cultivating weekly workshops intended to inspire creative expression, create joy, and build connections.

Ukrainian immigrants at the Intercultural Senior Center, focusing on expression through visual art and vocal music as they adjust to a new community and reconcile with the crises currently impacting their homeland.

“Through music and art, I learned to channel my emotions. I felt very comfortable and safe and the workshops were very beneficial to me. I gained new ideas of how I can be creative. I am a little more artistic than I thought.”
– HCOF workshop participant

Welcoming Allison Swenson

In February 2023 Opera Omaha welcomed our 19th General Director, Allison Swenson. Succeeding Roger Weitz, Allison has vigorously dove into the work and the Omaha community.

With 20 years of experience in the field, Allison's past work included time with the Santa Fe Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, and Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, working with emerging talent and seasoned artists.

Thank you

Thank you to our 22-23 Season supporters for your remarkable generosity, enthusiastic advocacy, and unwavering support of Opera Omaha. Because of you, Opera Omaha remains one of the most responsive, relevant, and innovative opera companies in the nation. We are immensely grateful for all you do to empower us to best serve our audience, our workforce, and our community.

Thank you to our departing Board Members:
Elisa Davies
Maria Carlson
Jerry O’Flanagan
Dr. Cheryl Logan

Thank you to our departing Advisor:
Viv Ewing

Thank you to our Community Panel Rep rotating off the Board:
Cam Bexten