Mission :
Palm Beach Opera is dedicated to producing live opera at an international standard of excellence and to enriching the life of the communities it serves with a diverse offering of educational programs.
History :
Founded in 1961, the fully professional Palm Beach Opera presents mainstage performances at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach and is a proud member of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.
Guest artists come to Palm Beach Opera from both the US and abroad, and have performed at all major opera houses worldwide. The Palm Beach Opera Chorus consists of up to 50 local singers who are committed to the highest musical values. The Palm Beach Opera Orchestra was created by the Board in 1993 to enhance the artistic quality of the company’s offerings, and includes musicians who have worked with major professional orchestras both nationally and internationally.
Palm Beach Opera maintains a Young Artist Program for emerging professional opera singers. The 5 month residency provides strong performance opportunities while allowing young artists to develop and polish essential stagecraft and performance skills, aided by the Palm Beach Opera Music & Artistic staff. Young Artists are featured in the company’s One Opera in One Hour Series, giving the public a taste of opera in a non-traditional setting at the Harriett Himmel Theater, which seats up to 400 people.
Palm Beach Opera is committed to arts education and offers a variety of educational programs for all ages and levels. Throughout the season, middle school and high school students are invited to watch working dress rehearsals as part of Opera Rehearsal 101. The PBO Studio brings high school students who are enrolled in a theater or vocal program in direct contact with opera professionals, giving them behind-the-scenes access to performances and rehearsals, interaction with artists and stage personnel, voice lessons with Palm Beach Opera’s artistic personnel and visiting artists and hands-on technical production experience. Concerts in the Classroom allows students to experience the magic of opera without leaving the classroom. Palm Beach Opera’s Young Artists sing arias and ensembles from favorite operas and discuss elements of opera with students, while adjusting the repertoire to conform to curriculum requirements. Adults enjoy an informative and entertaining look at the upcoming productions at the popular Lunch & Learn Series, first launched during the 2007-2008 season and immediately selling out, or at the Curtain Warmers prior to each performance at the Kravis Center.
The Palm Beach Opera Vocal Competition was established in 1969 to assist the careers of aspiring opera singers and became one of the most prestigious national contests for young singers. Accomplished finalists competed for cash awards, before a distinguished judging panel of experts from the opera world, and have gone on to illustrious international careers in the opera world. The competition was last held in 2011.
Palm Beach Opera is governed by a 25-member Board of Directors, under the leadership of Board Chairman Dennis Williams. The company’s operating budget is $4.1 million. The company has a full-time staff of 10, seasonally growing to a staff of 20 under the leadership of General Director Daniel Biaggi. The Palm Beach Opera Guild provides volunteer and financial support for the company and its educational programs.
