Opera Memphis

Our look back through 70 years of Opera Memphis continues with a decade of big changes and major milestones.

During the 1977–78 season, the company celebrated its 20th anniversary, and shortly afterward, Memphis Opera Theatre officially became Opera Memphis, Inc. Recognition would soon follow.

In 1980, Opera Memphis received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Arts, while Southern Opera Theatre received the National Opera Institute’s Award for Service to American Opera.

The decade also brought legendary voices to Memphis, including Beverly Sills in 1980 and Leontyne Price in 1985.

From a new name to national recognition, Opera Memphis was making its mark.

Join us October 10 at 7:00 PM at the Overton Park Shell as we celebrate 70 years with our FREE 70th Anniversary Concert!

*A special thanks to the Special Collections Department, University Libraries, University of Memphis, for having a few of these programs and award notices.*

As we continue counting down to our 70th Anniversary Concert, we’re looking back at a decade of growth for Memphis Opera Theatre.
In 1967, the company presented its first world premiere with Deseret. By 1971, Memphis Opera Theatre started a residency with Memphis State University, and in 1973, productions expanded to two performances each.
Then, in 1974, Southern Opera Theatre was formed to spread and educate our community about opera. Also in 1974, we began a partnership with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra—one that continues to this day.

A lot can change in ten years, but one thing remains the same: “Opera lives and thrives in Memphis.”

Join us October 10 at 7:00 PM at the Overton Park Shell for our FREE 70th Anniversary Concert!

Join us later in the week for more photos from this time period.
*A HUGE thank you to the preservers of our programs: the Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center. A HUGE thank you for photos, programs, and more from the University Archives, Special Collections Department, University of Memphis Libraries*

We are gearing up for our 70th Anniversary concert, so we’re taking a look back through the history of the company.

In 1956, civic leaders and members of the Beethoven Club founded the Memphis Opera Theater. Its first production, Introduction to Opera, was performed on October 9, 1956, followed closely by La Traviata in 1957.

From 1956–1966, the company produced at least 16 productions, all with a mission that still rings true today: “to enrich the musical life of the community.”

Take a look through a few pieces from our archives, including programs, newspaper clippings, and a photo from the 1963 production of The Medium.

In 1963, Memphis Opera Theater said it was “concentrating on quality.”

And we still are.
Don’t believe us? Come be the judge on October 10 at 7:00 PM for our FREE 70th Anniversary Concert at the Overton Park Shell!

*A HUGE thank you to the preservers of our programs: the Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center*

The final days of took us to a little bit of everything! 🎶
We started with some four-legged fans at Overton Bark Dog Park before heading to the festival at Paradox at PeCo. From there, we spent Monday among the books at Cornelia Crenshaw Library and Levi Library, followed by a sponsored performance at the Morton Museum.
Today, we made two more library stops at Central Library and North Branch Library before wrapping up 30 Days of Opera at Front Porch Memphis! 💙
From dog parks and festivals to museums, libraries, and one final performance, we loved every chance we had to bring opera into the community these last few days.
What a way to finish 2026!

Catch Opera Memphis during the final days of 30 Days of Opera 2026!
Monday will be one for the books as we hit the Cornelia Crenshaw and Levi Libraries. Tuesday’s curated performance at the Morton Museum of Collierville History is sure to be a hit! And Wednesday? We’re going out with a bang! We’ll visit Central Library and North Branch Library before giving you a preview of what’s to come with the MSO at Front Porch Memphis.
Thursday...we’re taking a short nap. Then it’s full steam ahead as we turn our attention to Opera Memphis’ 70th Anniversary Concert on October 10! 🎉

Let’s do a quick recap of last week! 🎶
Sunday started with a quick brunch serenade at Biscuits & Jams. Crosstown Concourse hosted a wonderful crowd in the atrium, and then we stopped by Joe’s W**e & Liquor to sing to our 70th Anniversary B**r, Bel Canto! 🍻
Hobbit Day at Novel was one for the books! The Dixon Gallery & Gardens was a fun one on Wednesday, and we can’t wait to be back later in the season. Congrats to all the winners of the Richard Wright Literary Awards, and thank you for letting us open your ceremony! The Buckman Art Gallery hosted not only beautiful voices, but some amazing artwork, too. While we didn’t end up Segwaying down Main Street for Trolley Night, we still enjoyed singing our way up and down it! Canvas for a Cause gave us a chance to share our voices while also seeing our own artwork hung up! And we had a blast joining the festivities at Latin Fest—our singers brought the music and absolutely killed it! 🎶

Another busy week of bringing opera all over Memphis is in the books. We’re getting close to the end of , but we’ve still got a few more stops to make!

What does opera look like this week? Art galleries, Segways, Hobbits, puppies, and plenty of singing, of course! 🎶

Week 4 of 30 Days of Opera is taking us to some unexpected places! We’ll kick things off at Crosstown Concourse, celebrate Hobbit Day, and head to the Dixon for a Lunch & Learn. Then, we’ll help start the festivities at the Richard Wright Awards and celebrate the opening of the Buckman’s new art gallery.

But we’re not done yet! We’ll be riding Segways during Trolley Night, performing at Canvas for a Cause, joining the fun at Latin Fest, and wrapping up the week with stops at the Overton Square Dog Park and Paradox at PeCo's festival.

There are plenty of ways to experience opera this week. Where will we see you? 👀🎶

Find all the details:
www.operamemphis.org/event-calendar?edl=all

Another week of has taken us all over Memphis! 🎶
We started the week among the books at East Shelby Library, then headed to STAX on Tuesday for a little Memphis music history. Wednesday brought us to South Branch Library, and on Thursday, we spent the morning at the Collierville Farmers Market before getting a Taste of Memphis later that evening!
We took opera to the airwaves with a live performance on WKNO FM and sang for the vets at their car wash on Friday, and today, we’re wrapping up the week surrounded by all things local at the Cooper-Young Festival!
We’ve loved bringing a little opera everywhere we’ve gone this week. And we’re not done yet!
See where 30 Days of Opera takes us next:�www.operamemphis.org/event-calendar?edl=all

📻 TUNE IN THIS SUNDAY, 9/20/26!
Catch Ned Canty and Philip Himebook as they talk all things creative, local performance, and culture on Geek Tank Radio! Get their take on OM's upcoming Hobbit Day Performance!
🗓️ When: Sunday at 8:00 AM
🔊 Where: 98.1 The Max
Don't miss this segment—set your alarms!