Opera UK has announced a series of online events to be held in the first week of July that will facilitate discussion around the future of opera in the country.
The sessions will be focused on three pressing issues: environmental sustainability, greater diversification in leadership and advocacy for opera, and will feature at least 14 expert speakers.
Contributors who have so far signed up include directors of leading companies, performers and those working on the ground in positions including technical production and stage direction.
Annilese Miskimmon, Artistic Director at English National Opera, Elizabeth Llwellyn, soprano and a trustee of Into Opera and Mark Pemberton, Chief Executive at the Association of British Orchestras, are all scheduled to participate.
All events will be participatory, allowing attendees to join the discussions and ask questions.
“Innovation and change is vital to ensure that our sector remains relevant, effectively engages with communities, and benefits our audiences,” said Genevieve Raghu, Artistic Director of Into Opera and one of Opera UK’s Founding Directors.
“We hope these events will help to connect individuals and companies across the opera sector and instigate even more conversations, positive changes and, through increased collaboration of our members, we hope to see a strengthening of the resilience of the opera sector.”
The discussions will also serve as a platform to launch a new mapping exercise designed to help establish a detailed picture of the national opera industry.