A New Kind of Opera Company

The vision for Sugar Creek Opera Cleveland begins with a new kind of Opera Company. One that adheres to the highest standards of professional opera performance, without the burdens that result from a fully staffed, bricks and mortar operation. An Opera Company that honors the great tradition of classic opera performance and simultaneously embraces contemporary American Opera. One that searches every day for new ways to please our patrons, new ways to present and preserve this sacred art form.

A message from General Director, Helen Todd

Little did I know when I arrived to perform in Cleveland in 1996, that I would fall in love with this beautiful community (and my husband!). Or that very soon after, I would call it home. Cleveland’s thriving arts community is a balm to my own creative spirit; I feel valued here as an artist. After 12 Seasons of producing world-class, fully staged professional opera in Illinois, I am expanding my opera company, Sugar Creek Opera, to Cleveland. My goal is simple, to bring extraordinary, professional opera to Cleveland. Great opera is important to communities everywhere; it connects us to each other. The power of the human voice is evidenced most elegantly in a live opera performance, pure and unmagnified. Cleveland is a great city and it deserves great opera from a new kind of Opera Company.

Our vision and Mission

It is the Vision of Sugar Creek Opera to produce and perform professional opera that inspires.

The Mission of the Sugar Creek Opera is to:

Provide an intimate and accessible experience of professional opera
Bring opera back to its roots, the way opera was meant to be performed
Showcase innovative classic and American opera
Honor the tradition of opera with seasoned professionals while providing training opportunities for young opera professionals
Engage in creative collaborations, innovative outreach, and audience development

apprentice program

The Danis Wilson Apprentice Program is a significant educational opportunity for aspiring opera singers to be part of professional opera company. Apprentices gain valuable knowledge from the Mainstage artists, conductors, directors, and producers who have decades of professional experience in the industry.

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