
In 2006 the National MultiCultural Institute awarded OPERA America a Leading Lights Diversity Award for Diverse Voices, OPERA America's 2005 annual conference, which provided a forum for a national dialogue for the opera community to promote and value diversity in the performing arts and encourage outreach to culturally diverse communities.
OPERA America has reciprocated this recognition by actively showcasing multicultural artists and opera companies that have innovative diversity initiatives and/or have commissioned culturally-specific operas. These individuals and organizations have been featured at conferences, in articles, and through awards program, including the NEA's Opera Honors.
"Embracing Diversity -- An Ongoing Journey"
"OPERA America Celebrates 40 Years"
SHOWCASING ARTISTS
Martina Arroyo - Opera Honors recipient
Angela Brown - "Opera from a Sistah's Point of View"
Daniel Catán - "Composing Opera: A Backstage Visit to the Composer’s Workshop"
Osvaldo Golijav - Conference Keynote Speaker
Lotfi Mansouri - Opera Honors recipient
Leontyne Price - Opera Honors recipient
Eve Queler - Opera Honors recipient
RECOGNIZING OPERA COMPANIES
Houston Grand Opera
"We're Celebrating People's Journey's in Life, as Well as Their Cultural Identity"
Highlights information about HGOco, an initiative to provide opportunities for observation, enjoyment, and participation in creation of art for the Houston community, and Song of Houston, one of HGOco's projects.
"Weaving a Universal Song from Specific Stories"
"If we try to justify our investment in HGOco in that way we fail. There are more effective ways to generate new ticket buyers. This investment has to do with redefining why we exist. To be relevant to our multi-cultural city, we must do more than put on great performances in our opera house," Anthony Freud in an interview talking about HGOco and its various initiatves.
Opera Colorado
OPERA America presented Opera Colorado with a Bravo Diversity Award for its state-wide tour of La Curandera, a bilingual family opera
Opera Company of Philadelphia
OCP received a Bravo Diversity Award from opera primarily for its education and outreach activities surrounding Margaret Garner.
Plus OPERA America's education department
has recognized the following company multicultural endeavors:
Cincinnati Opera
Featured three times for commissions honoring African Americans:Rise for Freedom: The John P. Parker Story;This Little Light of Mine, which commemorates Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price; and Oh Freedom!, which is a musical tribute to African American history.
Colored American Opera Company
Highlighted for this opera company's founding as the Emancipation Proclamation was enacted.
Des Moines Metro Opera
Looked at the premiere of A Dream Fulfilled: The Saga of George Washington Carver.
Kentucky Opera