Company
The Company
The Atlanta Opera’s mission is to break the boundaries of opera to create exceptional experiences for audiences everywhere.
Founded in 1979, The Atlanta Opera celebrates the art of opera in Atlanta, Georgia, continuing a long tradition of community dedication to the ultimate musical form. Reflecting the vitality and innovative spirit of our city, The Atlanta Opera has evolved into a cultural powerhouse.
Under the leadership of internationally recognized stage director and Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. General & Artistic Director Tomer Zvulun since 2014, The Atlanta Opera presents four mainstage productions at Cobb Energy Centre and two innovative Discoveries operas creatively offered in venues throughout metro Atlanta.
Mission
The Atlanta Opera’s mission is to break the boundaries of opera to create exceptional experiences for audiences everywhere.
Our History
Atlanta’s taste for opera began in the early years of the 1900’s with the Metropolitan Opera’s annual week-long tour to Atlanta. Performing at the Auditorium-Armory, the fabulous Fox Theatre and finally the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, the Metropolitan Opera’s annual tour was a major social event. Every night of the week featured the performance of a different opera starring opera legends including Enrico Caruso, Leontyne Price, and later, Luciano Pavarotti. The audience included a who’s who of Atlantans and was celebrated with posh parties at the Georgian Terrace, Piedmont Driving Club and other upscale venues.
In 1979, the Atlanta Civic Opera was born, a result of a merger between two competing entities, Atlanta Lyric Opera and Georgia Opera. The first artistic director was noted composer Thomas Pasatieri. The company’s first production was The Seagull on Friday, March 14, 1980 at the Fox Theatre. The following December, a festive gala was held in Symphony Hall with such noted young artists as Catherine Malfitano, Jerry Hadley and Samuel Ramey. In 1985, the company was renamed to The Atlanta Opera.
Internal Revenue Service grants The Atlanta Civic Opera its 501(c)(3) status and the company officially begins conducting business and producing opera. A few years later, it becomes The Atlanta Opera.
The Atlantic Civic Opera Association appoints Alfred Kennedy as President of the Board of Directors, a year later he becomes the General Manager until 1995. The company changes names to The Atlanta Opera and names William Fred Scott as Artistic Advisor, he later becomes the company’s Artistic Director.
After moving performances between various venues, The Atlanta Opera moves to the 1,748-seat Symphony Hall.
The Atlanta Opera moves to the 4,518-seat Fox Theatre–the largest indoor venue for opera in the U.S. Faust is the debut production in the new home.
Alfred Kennedy is appointed as the company’s Executive Director; serving in this role until he retired in 2004.
The Atlanta Opera hits $1 million mark in ticket sales for a single season.
The Atlanta Opera hosts the 31st Annual OPERA America Conference.
The Atlanta Opera opens its 2003-04 season with AIDA at the 4,591-seat Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center.
Dennis Hanthorn takes on the role of General Director, while The Atlanta Opera celebrates its 25th anniversary as an opera company.
As the first resident company of Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, The Atlanta Opera opens the 2007-08 season with an acclaimed production of Turandot.
The Atlanta Opera Chorus performs at the Opera-Comique in Paris, in Granada and Cannes in a production of Porgy and Bess.
Tomer Zvulun is appointed as the Atlanta Opera’s new General & Artistic Director.
Walter Huff, the company’s acclaimed Chorus Master, celebrates 25 years with The Atlanta Opera.
The Atlanta Opera receives a $9 million bequest from longtime board member Barbara D. Stewart.
The groundbreaking Discoveries series launches with Three Decembers. The production is named a “Best of Atlanta 2015” by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Cathy Adams becomes Board Chair.
The Opera grows to four mainstage and two Discoveries productions. The Opera establishes its first-ever young artist program, The Atlanta Opera Studio, which includes four singers, a stage director, and pianist.
Rhys Wilson elected as Board Chair.
ArtsATL selects The Atlanta Opera as the 2019 Luminary Award recipient for the Veterans Program.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, The Atlanta Opera staff boldly moves to create a full season of outdoor tent productions, becoming the only organization, in the United States if not the world, to produce 40 performances of four entirely new productions in the 2020-21 season. Shows included, Pagliacci, The Kaiser of Atlantis, The Threepenny Carmen, and The Threepenny Opera.
The Atlanta Opera achieves “Budget One” status in the 45th Anniversary Season in 2024-25. The company is now listed alongside The Metropolitan Opera, the opera companies of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Seattle, Dallas, Santa Fe, Washington National Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Our Company Culture
At the Atlanta Opera, we are reimagining opera and building the major international opera company that Atlanta deserves. Our artform is rich with cultural relevance and historical context, but it must live and breathe for today. The harmonies and vibrations we create are incomplete without the many voices of our community, and the stories we tell are superficial without the context of diverse experiences. To breathe, our artform requires the inclusion of these voices and experiences, free from discrimination and racism. Opera must be living art that expresses our multifaceted experiences. We are dedicated to celebrating the rich demographic tapestry of Atlanta by including its many diverse voices and experiences in all facets of our organization.
