Indianapolis Opera facts for kids

Indianapolis Opera is an opera company in Indianapolis, Indiana. The only professional opera company in Indiana, it hosts a number of fully staged productions each season in addition to supporting a Young Artist Program. The company is led by General Director David Craig Starkey and Board President Matt Mindrum.

History

Since its founding in 1975, 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 or less-performed works, balancing musical style and language as well as comedy and tragedy.

The Frank and Katrina Basile Opera Center

In 2008, Bill Oesterle, a local business entrepreneur, purchased the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church building in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood of Indianapolis and leased it to the Indianapolis Opera. The Indianapolis Opera went on to use the building for rehearsals, educational programs, and smaller performances. In 2015, the Opera began producing at the Schrott Center for the Arts on the campus of Butler University.

Young Artist Program

As a young artist development program, The Center for Resident Artists at Indianapolis Opera plays a key role in delivering operatic performances and experiences to audiences in diverse setting throughout the state of Indiana and neighboring states. Young artists also rehearse and study with visiting artists and professional mentors and have the opportunity to design and execute audience development performance activities

Lobster Palooza

Lobster Palooza is held annually as a fundraiser for the opera and educational outreach programs. 2018 marks the ninth annual Lobster Palooza.

Annual Opera Ball

The Annual Opera Ball partially benefits the company's educational outreach programs.