About the Company

The mission of Indianapolis Opera is to educate, inspire, and entertain through the creation and presentation of musical storytelling for our diverse Hoosier community.

Formed in 1975, Indianapolis Opera is the oldest and largest professional opera company in Indiana. In its nearly 50-year history, the Indianapolis Opera has presented 163 productions and large-scale concerts representing the work of 48 different composers, including more than 18 composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. IO delivers diverse artistic experiences, reaching over 30,000 audience members a year throughout all of Indiana with mainstage productions, educational programming, and outreach concerts. Each of these programs shares the thrill of live opera and the healing power of music with a multicultural blend of classic, lyric musical theater, and contemporary repertoire, each balancing style and language within the full spectrum of the human experience. Opera is a unique art form, wherein all artistic expressions are equal and diverse simultaneously, combining the raw athletic power of the classical human voice with music composition, poetry, instruments, theater, scenic design, costuming, makeup and more. These fully dimensional presentations are affecting and meaningful, connecting artists and audiences both in times of uncertainty and periods of peace.

In 1989, Indianapolis Opera founded their Resident Artist Program, through which we have now worked with over 170 emerging artists who have gone on to national and international careers, performing on the stages of all of the world’s largest opera houses. As the only professional opera artist development program in Indiana, the company delivers to their Resident Artists a complete training experience, during which IO Resident Artists serve as ambassadors of the Opera by presenting operatic performances and educational experiences throughout Indiana and neighboring states. Artists who participate in the Resident Artist Program comment on both the breadth and depth of their experiences, from multiple opportunities to perform, intensive work with guest faculty, and mentorship from Indianapolis Opera team members.

Now, in 2024, Indianapolis Opera is experiencing a renaissance. After undergoing a comprehensive reorganization in 2015, the IO adopted a leading 21st century artistic business model that allows for flexibility in the scale and nature of productions and programs. With that flexibility, the IO remains vibrant and nimble with artistic seasons that feature both traditional and contemporary productions, as well as educational programs that connect classical art and music with language and history, resulting in accessible and compelling opera experiences for all audiences.

Most recently, Indianapolis Opera officially purchased and renovated the Basile Opera Center, the permanent home of the Indianapolis Opera, which has served as a hub of IO education, outreach, artistry, and collaboration since 2009. Located in the historic Meridian-Kessler neighborhood, IO strives to champion the vocal arts in the heart of Indiana and connect with audiences of all ages, creeds, racial and ethnic groups, genders, orientations, and socio-economic backgrounds. Every day, we showcase the strength and uniqueness of the human voice and are committed to increasing access to every community with this multidisciplinary genre.

opera in schools Music Jobs

Resident Assistant Director / Education Production Coordinator