Opera-tunity…
If you’ve been following the Performance Space Podcast then this will be a nice supplemental read to the discussion Nan and I had for episode 6 (also titled “Opera-unity”). I wanted to write out some of the ways you can create new or different opportunities for yourself as an artist. I love the idea of taking the reins to your performance experiences for many reasons. First of all, you’ll learn so much more than just how to perform in front of people. You’ll need to network and step outside of what you already know in order to achieve your goals. You’ll also build new skills as a person in your music community. You never know who you’ll connect with, or who you’ll inspire to try their hand at building their own opportunities. In fact, you’ll most likely need to collaborate with other musicians/artists so they’ll be creating their own opportunities along side you.
Ideas to create your own performance opportunities:
1) Put on a recital
It’s simple and it’s an easy go to but yes, put on a recital. Putting on a recital outside of a collegiate setting can feel daunting (and we aren’t just talking about programing and learning your repertoire!). You’ll need some connections and resources to pull it off. However, it doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Connect with a local church that has a piano and allows outsiders to rent their space. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some church’s that didn’t charge me use their space. I may not make any money off the performance but not having to pay for the venue is a stress reliever. I recommend you be mindful of the repertoire you’re performing and that it is appropriate for the venue you’re using.
You’d be surprised what venues can be available to rent at a reasonable rate. If you’re renting a space on your own dime this is a good opportunity to charge for tickets. This takes some budget balancing for you to figure out what you can afford and how much you’d need to charge per ticket to help recoup your overhead expenses (hopefully, if you get the word out really well you might even MAKE some money…). If you’re diligent and do your research you may be surprised how much is really available for you without breaking the bank.
As for the actual recital program, this is your time to be really creative. There are no requirements for language, style, composer, or time period in your recital. You can pick whatever music you want (as long it’s suited for your voice of course…). Here’s your change to present music you’ve loved but haven’t had a chance to perform. Do a song cycle, or do a recital dedicated to only one composer. Or HEY do a recital that features a living composer! Now THAT is exciting. No says you have to only do Mozart and Beethoven (though they are great go to’s). Challenge yourself with a new language like Swedish or Russian. Create your own mini-scena with staging a compilation of songs that tie together. Let your creativity can run rampant! Recitals are the easiest to pull off and the most flexible to program.
2) 1 act or abridged opera
This may take more coordinating with other musicians but you can do it. There are a plethora of 1 act operas in English. You can do 1 act operas in any language, but if you’re audience is English speaking and you don’t have a way to provide subtitles then an English opera is your best bet. You can also do an abridged version of an opera. Your biggest consideration with choosing an opera is who needs to be involved to make it happen. The more people involved, the more there is to coordinate; so keep that in mind. Just because you’re putting on an opera doesn’t mean it needs to be elaborate. Intimate settings of performing can be very impactful and are more likely to communicate your intent to your audience.
3) Opera on Tap
This is a concept I had never heard of until Nan mentioned it on our podcast. Basically, the performance is happening at a bar or restaurant while the patrons enjoy their food and beverages. First, you should search around to see if this is something already happening in your area and then jump on board. Second, if there isn’t, how bad would it be to reach out to local restaurant and bar owners to see if you can set something up? You may be surprised at the amount of “yeses” you can get!
When I attend the NOA (National Opera Association) conferences back in January 2020, there was new opera being featured and the venue was at a restaurant. We ate our dinner and watched a beautiful performance of a new opera. During my undergraduate days the voice department would host “opera & tea”. We would put on a show of arias and opera scenes while our audience enjoyed coffee, tea, and desserts. It was a fundraising event for the program and it was so much fun. So while I have never experience Opera on Tap but imagine it’s along the lines of the experiences I've mentioned above. People love dinner and a show!
4) House parties
When I was a graduate student at Ithaca College I was asked to sing at a private party for an organization I cannot remember. Basically, the members of this organization would rotate whose house they met at for dinner parties and they would invite musicians to perform. I think I sang 2 or 3 songs and then a few other musicians performed as well. Gather a handful of your musical colleagues and put the word out there that you’re available to perform for special events or host your own special event. No one said you need to have a grand audience. Even if you host a dinner party that gathers a handful of your musician friends and you all perform for each other, you’re still gaining experience. This can also be a great opportunity to test out new repertoire before putting it on a bigger stage.
I know it can be hard to rely on other musical organizations to get your performing opportunities in. It can be especially hard if you’re trying to make a living. But don’t count out the options I’ve listed above, because you really never know what will come of it. Worst case senecio, you put on a performance and developed new skills.
-Laura
