About Madison Opera

Madison Opera is a non-profit, professional opera company based in Madison, Wisconsin. A resident organization of the Overture Center for the Arts, Madison Opera produces three operas annually in addition to Opera in the Park and a variety of educational programming.

With the 2023/24 season, Madison Opera celebrates our 63nd year of being one of only two opera companies in Wisconsin that provide the experience of fully-staged grand opera.  Our mission is to produce opera of the highest artistic standards, and our three mainstage productions draw over 10,000 audience members each year to the Overture Center to enjoy both classic operas such as Carmen and modern masterpieces such as Fellow Travelers.  Our gift to the community, Opera in the Park, attracts over 15,000 people to Madison from across Wisconsin for a free concert on a beautiful July evening.

Staff

GENERAL DIRECTOR – Kathryn Smith Bio
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR – John DeMain – Bio
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE – Jennifer Fenster
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION  – Jill Krynicki
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT – Beth Tolles
PATRON SERVICES MANAGER – Chloe Agostino
COMPANY MANAGER – Samantha Garcia
MARKETING MANAGER – Taylor Renée Horne
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR / WAREHOUSE MANAGER – Billy Larimore
MUSIC ASSISTANT – Aubrie Jacobson

Board of Trustees

Officers

PRESIDENT – Peyton Engel*
CHAIRMAN – Thomas Terry*
VICE PRESIDENT – Martha Casey*
VICE PRESIDENT – Lynn Mecklenburg*
TREASURER – Brian Haltinner*
SECRETARY – Franzo Law II*

Trustees

Carla J. Alvarado
Martin Barrett*
Larry Bechler
Viki Brigham
David Flanders
Brandon Hayes
Joyce Hirsch*

Stephen Hurley*
Connie Kinsella
John Lemke*
Patti Lucas
Pete Lundberg
Barbara Merz
Sally Miley*

*Executive Committee

J. Marshall Osborn*
Cyrena Pondrom
Sharyn Stumpf
Jane Taves
Selma VanEyck
Toby Wallach
Sonja Yde

Advisors

Kennedy Gilchrist
Fran Klos
Fern Lawrence
Susan Lipp

Elaine Staley
Karen Walsh
Helen Wineke

Madison Opera Foundation

Established in 2001, the Madison Opera Foundation is an important part of Madison Opera’s financial structure. Managed by a board of directors, it oversees several funds, including the Madison Opera Endowment (for gifts given in perpetuity), the Madison Opera Reserve, and several donor-designated funds.

Board of Directors

PRESIDENT – Joyce Hirsch
Fernando Alvarado
Martin Barrett

Peyton Engel
Brian Haltinner
Sally Miley

Amy Nickles
J. Marshall Osborn
Thomas Terry

The Margaret C. Winston
Madison Opera Center

Located at 335 W. Mifflin Street, just one block from Overture Center’s stage door, the Margaret C. Winston Madison Opera Center is both our artistic home and our administrative home, with our offices, rehearsal hall, costume shop and more.  Over the course of a season, the Opera Center is home to auditions, rehearsals, meetings, previews, donor events, and so much more.

The Opera Center may be rented for rehearsals and events; the parking ramp associated is available for public parking.

The Studio Artist Program

Established in 2012, the Madison Opera Studio Artist Program is an important part of the company’s artistic and educational mission. The Studio Artists are singers in the transitional period between university and their professional careers. Over the course of a season, Studio Artists perform small roles and understudy major roles in Madison Opera’s productions, as well as serving as the company’s musical ambassadors across our region.

Brianna Murray, Soprano. In a green dress in front of a stone wall.
Brianna Murray
Soprano

MM – Indiana Univ.
BM – Oberlin Conservatory

This season at MO: Jeanette, Léontine (cover), The Anonymous Lover; chorus, Cunegonde (cover), Candide

Sachie Ueshima, wearing black in front of a stone staircase.
Sachie Ueshima
Soprano

MA – Queens College, CUNY
BM – Queens College, CUNY

This season at MO: cvr. Tosca, Tosca

Headshot of Hailey Cohen
Hailey Cohen
Mezzo-soprano

MM – Univ. of Michigan
BM – Univ. of Michigan

This season at MO: Dorothée, The Anonymous Lover; Paquette, The Old Lady (cover), Candide

William Johnson Headshot
William Johnson
Tenor

MM – Northwestern Univ.
BM – Michigan State

This season at MO: Spoletta, Cavaradossi (cover), Tosca; Colin, Valcour (cover), The Anonymous Lover; Candide (cover), Candide.

Timothy Krueger Headshot
Timothy Krueger
Bass-Baritone

MM – Roosevelt Univ.
BM – Bowling Green State Univ.

This season at MO:  Sciarrone, Sacristan (cover), Angelotti (cover), Tosca; Pangloss/Martin (cover), Candide

Soprano
Alannah Spencer

Mezzo
Lindsey Meekhof

Tenor
Pedro Valdez

Soprano
Anja Pustaver

Mezzo
Quinn Middleman

Tenor
Tyrese Byrd

Baritone
Jake Surzyn

Soprano
Emily Secor

Mezzo
Kirsten Larson

Tenor
Benjamin Hopkins

Baritone
Stephen Hobe

Soprano
Emily Secor

Mezzo
Kirsten Larson

Tenor
Benjamin Liupaogo

Baritone
Stephen Hobe

Soprano
Anna Polum

Mezzo
Megan Ott Romero

Tenor
Benjamin Liupaogo

Soprano
Anna Polum

Mezzo
Anna Parks

Baritone
James Held

Soprano
Marie McManama

Mezzo
Kelsey Park

Tenor
William Ottow

Baritone
Nathaniel Hill

Soprano
Chelsea Morris

Mezzo
Anna Laurenzo

Tenor
Thomas Leighton

Soprano
Gillian Hollis

Soprano
Jessie Lyons

Tenor
Scott Brunscheen

Soprano
Jeni Houser

Mezzo
Jessica Timman

Tenor
Adam Shelton

Baritone
John Arnold

Auditions

MADISON OPERA PRINCIPAL AUDITIONS

The next round of principal auditions will be held in November/December 2024. Please check in late September 2024 for an audition announcement.

MADISON OPERA CHORUS AUDITIONS

The next round of Madison Opera Chorus auditions will be held in Summer 2024. Please check back in May 2024 for an audition announcement.

STUDIO ARTIST AUDITIONS

Madison Opera is holding auditions for Wisconsin and Upper-Midwest based young artists for its Studio Artist Program in the 2024/25 season.

Responsibilities will include covering mainstage roles, singing small roles or chorus as appropriate, and performing previews and other outreach activities as scheduled by mutual agreement between September 2024 and May 2025.

Please note: This is not a full-time program. Compensation will be based on specific assignments, and outreach activities will be scheduled by mutual agreement. While there is no specific age range, artists should have completed their undergraduate degree and be in the early stages of a professional opera career.

To be considered for an audition, please e-mail your resume and headshot to auditions@madisonopera.org. You will be contacted to schedule an audition time, if appropriate.

Deadline: Resumes must be received by May 15, 2024

Audition Date: Thursday, May 22, 2024

If granted an audition, singers should prepare four to five arias of varying styles and languages.  A pianist will be provided free of charge.

Note: These auditions are for Studio Artists only; principal and chorus auditions will be held on future dates.

Questions?  Please email auditions@madisonopera.org.

Production Assistant Program

The Production Assistant position offers a hands-on experience in a professional opera environment.  This paid, entry-level position is ideal for college and high school students, giving them the chance to work backstage as part of the production team and learn stage management skills.  Exact tasks are assigned based on interest and aptitude.

The History of Madison Opera

Since 1961, Madison Opera has presented over 70 different operas, composed from the 18th to the 21st century, performed in seven different languages. We have shared the magic of opera with generations of our community, as both opera and our city have evolved. Learn more about our history and details on past productions.

Job Openings

Madison Opera does not currently have any job openings.