We are officially a 501(c)(3) company!

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The Opera Collective: A Story of Heart, Ambition, and Accessible Art

The Opera Collective began in the echoing halls of the New York City subway, where a group of passionate singers shared opera with anyone willing to stop and listen. What started as a joyful, spontaneous act of connection soon grew into something greater. Today, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a clear mission: to make opera accessible, inviting, and deeply human; a cultural experience that belongs to everyone, not just a select few.

Recently, we stepped into one of the most meaningful milestones in our journey: our first-ever fully staged and costumed production of Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci. This moment represented far more than a performance. It marked the evolution of a company that has worked tirelessly to bring opera out of the shadows of exclusivity and into the light of shared community experience.

Bringing a production of this scale to life was thrilling, but also undeniably challenging. As a small company, we operate with limited resources, yet our dreams and artistic vision are expansive. Securing the funding required for rehearsal space, sets/ props, costumes, pianists, and fair compensation for our artists is an ongoing effort; one filled with determination, creativity, and resilience. Every costume stitch, every note in rehearsal, every carefully placed lighting cue is powered by love for this art form and belief in its ability to move people.

This production has been a testament to our journey: from subway platforms to the stage. It shows what is possible when passion meets perseverance; when a community decides that opera should feel close, available, warm, and full of life. It proves that a company with a big heart and even bigger ambition can create work that is meaningful, beautiful, and boldly inclusive.

Your support is essential to that vision. By contributing, you help ensure that this milestone is only the beginning; that we continue to offer opportunities for emerging artists, expand access for new audiences, and bring opera to people who may be discovering it for the very first time. Together, we can continue to rise, to create, and to share music that resonates far beyond the stage.

A small company can dream boldly. And with you, those dreams become real.