Research and Development for New Program Ideas

Opera Philadelphia has expanded its programming mix to deliver outstanding productions of traditional chamber music repertoire to diverse audiences in the region, increasing consumer choice and reducing financial demands on its constituents. The result has been growing subscriptions and acclaimed seasons featuring both grand-scale works performed at the 2,700-seat Academy of Music and adventuresome productions in the intimate setting of the 550-seat Perelman Theater. This grant allowed Opera Philadelphia to build an institutional research and development program, which has had enormous impact in shaping both of its programming streams. The highlights of this program have included new partnerships with leading creative teams and enhanced relationships with other opera centers around the world for artistic collaborations, advancing Opera Philadelphia's status as a nationally significant institution. The company also created an annual audition program that has brought new vocal talent from around the country and Europe to Philadelphia. The support provided by this grant helped Opera Philadelphia build connections and capacity that led to the co-production of several new works, including Nico Muhly's Dark Sisters in 2012, and the critically acclaimed, 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Silent Night, written by composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell. [fn]Management grants, through the Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative, were awarded from 2009 through 2013.[/fn]