OPERA MANAGEMENT COURSE 2026
Dates: Saturday 25 April to Friday 1 May 2026
Location: Estonian National Opera, Tallinn
For: early- to mid-career professionals who show commitment to and real potential for a career in opera management
Deadline for applications: 22 December 2025
Opera Europa’s renowned Opera Management Course is a unique opportunity for professionals having proven their commitment to a career in opera to take a step out of their department and take a wider look at the essentials of opera management alongside peers from across Europe. We are delighted that the twelfth edition of the Opera Management Course will take place in Tallinn, in partnership with Estonian National Opera, with group mentors Lilli Paasikivi (Bregenz), Henning Ruhe (Göteborg) and Cormac Simms (London RBO).
The Course covers artistic vision, programming and planning, finance and budgeting, audiences, education, fundraising, marketing and communications, plus lots more. Participants gain knowledge, insights, tools and a professional network to empower them in their work, guided by professionals with significant experience in the sector. The Course is open to professionals working in any department or specialism within opera management.
A snapshot of feedback from previous participants:
“It gave me the opportunity to grow”
“I can’t tell you how useful it’s been”
“It gave me lots of tools”
“It was valuable to meet colleagues at a similar level”
“I learned a lot from the tutors and colleagues from different countries”
“Beautiful, tiring, intense, fun!”
One company whose staff attended the 2025 OMC said:
“Supporting emerging leaders through initiatives like the OMC isn’t just an investment in people, it’s an investment in opera’s future.”
Participants who wish to join the Co-Productions joint forum in Helsinki between 21 and 24 April 2026 are welcome to do so at no additional charge. Participants/their companies are responsible for their own travel costs and – where applicable – for arranging accommodation in Helsinki, as well as covering the costs of performance tickets. More information soon.
How are applications assessed?
The selection committee’s ideal candidate:
shows ambition and real potential for a long-term career in opera management
has a minimum of 2 years’ professional experience in the performing arts, including at least 1 year in opera (many candidates have significantly more experience when they apply)
speaks English proficiently
is fully supported in their professional development by their employer
is collaborative and shows curiosity beyond their own direct specialism
can clearly articulate what they hope to gain from the Opera Management Course and how it relates to this moment in their career
Collectively, the group of successful candidates will represent early- to mid-career professionals working in a range of departments and specialisms within opera management, and be based in a variety of countries. Seeking to support a wider and more diverse pool of talented professionals, Opera Europa particularly welcomes applications from candidates currently underrepresented in opera management.
For companies with multiple candidates
It is highly unusual for Opera Europa to accept more than one candidate per company in any given year. Where companies have multiple interested candidates, some choose to run their own internal application process, before forwarding a single candidate to Opera Europa for consideration. Other companies invite all interested candidates to apply and have a dialogue with Opera Europa about the most suitable candidate during the shortlisting phase.
If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact Hannah, hannah@opera-europa.org
Who will you recommend from your company?
