Since 1956, Opera Memphis has never stopped singing.
Thirteen presidents, nine recessions, three trips to the Final Four, and one global pandemic later, we’re still here—bringing powerful performances and transformative experiences to audiences across Memphis and the Mid-South.
Our Story
Memphis has always been a crucible of musical innovation, exporting blues, soul, and rock and roll to the nation and world. At Opera Memphis we aim to live up to that legacy, to focus on doing what both Memphis music and opera have always done best: take all the things that make us human–the pain, the joy, the love, the loss, all of it–and give it a voice that comes from and is heard in every Memphis neighborhood.
What Guides Us
To entertain and inspire the people of Memphis and the Mid-South through the art of opera.
To be a model of artistic integrity, musical excellence, and community involvement.
We believe opera is at its best when everyone is respected and represented. That’s why everything we do is guided by four simple principles:
Respect the Music. · Respect the Story. · Respect the Artists. · Respect the Audience.
We are 100% opera and 100% Memphis.
We put the Memphis part second in our name, but first in our mission.
Since our founding in 1956 as Memphis Opera Theater, we have produced a wide variety of operas, operettas, musicals, and recitals at a world class level, bringing artists like Leontyne Pryce and Jamie Barton here to Memphis. We also have a legacy of creating and championing new works, dating back to Robert Driver and his Center for New American Opera.
We also have an industry wide reputation for leading the field in our approach to serving our community. Programs like 30 Days of Opera and Sing2Me bring music to unexpected places—farmers markets, libraries, schools, and even street corners—breaking down barriers and building new audiences in the process.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Opera Memphis, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. That means our work is made possible by the generosity of individuals, businesses, and foundations who believe in the power of the arts to enrich lives and strengthen communities. Every gift—large or small—directly supports our performances, educational programming, and outreach across the region.
