Join a major new initiative for opera!

Opera is the ultimate European artform, combining our collective cultural heritage with a thriving performing arts sector. Now is our chance to celebrate that and to raise the profile of opera. 

Opera Europa is preparing an application for the European Heritage Label. The application will be based on a number of operatic works that play an important role in European culture and history, and on selected sites associated with those works. 

What are the potential benefits?
The European Heritage Label is a seal of excellence. We anticipate that the Label will raise the visibility and importance of the artform and the sector as a whole, in addition to putting the spotlight on selected works and venues. That may well lead to greater legitimacy in relation to funding. The Label would position opera as relevant to everyone, by virtue of being core to our collective heritage and to contemporary culture. It also has the potential to make opera available and appealing to wider audiences, both local communities, international visitors and tourists. 

Opera Europa is coordinating a consortium of partners from among its members to make a joint application. We now invite members of Opera Europa to consider submitting an Expression of Interest. 

As a first step, please visit the Document Centre to read “European Heritage Label – prospective partners info sheet”. This contains important details, including criteria for inclusion and overall timeframe, as well as a link to fill in the Expression of Interest form.

We warmly encourage you to find out more at our online information session on Wednesday 18 March at 15:00 CET. Contact Hannah to register: hannah@opera-europa.org 

Expressions of Interest may be submitted via the online form (see partners info sheet). The closing date is Thursday 2 April. 

We look forward to developing an exciting application that celebrates opera as a central part of Europe’s history and culture – yesterday, today and tomorrow!