The last 18 months have allowed Opera Europa to grow in many ways. Not only has the membership reached 220 companies across 44 countries, but our services and activities have multiplied.
The online conferences proved a decent alternative to our biannual events. Their success undoubtedly rests on the fact that, over the last 18 years, lines of trust and communication were built throughout the sector. However, all agree they are not fully a substitute for the real thing. Opera Europa hopes to resume its usual conference rhythm for 2022, bringing members together for debates, presentations, discussions, coffee breaks and performances.
Our online forum meetings have met a great success, and will certainly be part of the future Opera Europa activities, allowing distant members to stay connected on focused discussion themes. They will be offered in balance with specialist forum meetings in host theatres. These online events also allow Opera Europa and its members to share in a more sustainable way.
A recent survey tells us that over 80% of responding members are satisfied with Operabook, our new production and artist database, which continues to improve thanks to your feedback, and to grow thanks to strategic partnerships with artist representation bodies IAMA & AEAA’s ClassicalMusicArtists platform, OMAI and AFAA and media platform Bachtrack.com. Members are understanding the interface and making the most of the various options, including Production rentals. To update or correct your data, simply contact casting@opera-europa.org.
The Future New Productions database, hosted on Operabook, is a central resource, and was the basis of our Co-production marketplace session in Bergamo. You may update your future plans at any time!
All staff from member companies may create their own account on www.opera-europa.org via the Member resources menu to access various resources, including the Members’ address book, thematic threads in the Discussion board, past presentations in the Document Centre and Operabook. When creating your account, you may register to the specialist listservs and Opera Europa’s e-newsletter.
Opera Europa is the lead coordinator of World Opera Day, celebrated for the third time this year on 25 October. Born out of the World Opera Forum held in Madrid in 2018, this event is growing and becoming recognised beyond the opera sector.
This increase in activity led Opera Europa’s members to vote the first increase in membership fee in since 2009. Full membership was increased to 3.000€ per calendar year; Associate membership (for companies without a theatre base) to 1.750€; Junior membership (for companies with 3 or less full time staff) to 650€; and Affiliate membership (for organisations for whom opera production is not the primary activity) remains at 2.000€.
Your company will be receiving its 2022 membership invoice, to be paid by 31 January 2022. We hope to continue this journey with you!
Audrey Jungers