On Site Opera

On Site Opera Founded in 2012, On Site Opera produced site-specific operas throughout NYC during its 12-year run.

Founded in 2012, On Site Opera produced 25+ site-specific operas in some of New York’s most unique venues. Each production seamlessly blended concept, storytelling, music, and artistry to create immersive experiences that captivated audiences. Praised as “innovative” by BBC News and by The New York Times for their ”seductive” productions, the company brought opera to extraordinary settings, includ

ing The Bronx Zoo, Harlem’s historic Cotton Club, Madame Tussauds New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, the South Street Seaport Museum, and many more.

A Fond Farewell from On Site Opera.                 After 12 incredible years of redefining opera, On Site Opera will br...
01/28/2025

A Fond Farewell from On Site Opera.

After 12 incredible years of redefining opera, On Site Opera will bring its extraordinary journey to a close. Since our very first performance at the Bronx Zoo, we have been honored to create immersive, site-specific opera experiences that brought audiences closer to the music, the stories, their city, and to each other.

From grand halls to museums, botanical gardens to city streets, and even opera by phone and mail, we set out to make opera more accessible, innovative, and deeply connected to the spaces and communities where it was performed. Along the way, we’ve had the privilege of working with extraordinary artists, collaborating with visionary institutions, and welcoming audiences who embraced opera in bold new ways.
While this decision was not an easy one, the financial landscape for the arts has made it increasingly challenging to sustain the kind of immersive, high-quality work we have always strived to create. Rather than continuing in an unsustainable environment, we have chosen to step away with gratitude, pride, and appreciation for everything we have built together, ensuring that our legacy reflects the artistic integrity and collaborative spirit that have defined On Site Opera from the start.

To every artist, collaborator, donor, and audience member who has been part of this journey—thank you. Your passion, support, and belief in our mission have made these 12 years unforgettable. While this marks the end of On Site Opera, it is a reminder of how vital the arts are to our cultural landscape. We encourage you to continue supporting the organizations and artists who bring creativity, connection, and inspiration to our world.

The arts matter. Keep them thriving.

For our full press announcement: https://osopera.org/company-announcement/

🎉 Join us in congratulating Emily Barber, our incredible Director of Production, for being selected to join  prestigious...
01/21/2025

🎉 Join us in congratulating Emily Barber, our incredible Director of Production, for being selected to join prestigious 2025 !

This program is a transformative opportunity for rising leaders in opera administration, offering advanced training, mentorship, and professional development.

Emily’s dedication to excellence in and her passion for the arts have made her an integral part of our team. We’re so proud to see her talents recognized on a national level, and we can’t wait to see the impact she’ll continue to make in our field!

👏 Join us in celebrating Emily as she takes this exciting next step in her !

As we present our final digital “gift” this holiday season, we want to thank each and every one of you for joining us on...
12/27/2024

As we present our final digital “gift” this holiday season, we want to thank each and every one of you for joining us on this operatic journey. Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared five full-length productions from our archives, celebrating On Site Opera’s mission to make opera truly accessible to all.

Today, we offer the world premiere of Song of the Nightingale (2023), with music by Lisa DeSpain and a libretto by Melisa Tien, co-commissioned with Brookfield Properties Arts & Culture. This modern-day fairy tale—adapted from Hans Christian Andersen’s The Nightingale—unfolded across three of Brookfield Properties’ public spaces: Brooklyn Commons, Manhattan West, and Brookfield Place. It featured a vibrant ensemble of artists who brought the characters to life: Hannah Cho (Nightingale); Nicole Haslett (Frog and Mechanical Nightingale); Bernard Holcomb (The Curator); Eliam Ramos (Cow); and Chrystal E. Williams (The Collector). Together, they transformed everyday cityscapes into immersive stages of magic and wonder, all free of charge.
As we close out this year’s series of holiday releases, we are deeply grateful for your support and engagement. May Song of the Nightingale inspire you, reminding us all that opera can thrive in unexpected places—connecting people, stories, and music under the open sky. Thank you for being part of our community.

Watch now: https://bit.ly/3CV77Wt

Happy birthday to Giacomo Puccini, who was born   in 1858! 🥳The visionary composer dazzled the operatic world with timel...
12/22/2024

Happy birthday to Giacomo Puccini, who was born in 1858! 🥳The visionary composer dazzled the operatic world with timeless masterpieces that continue to captivate audiences today – including OSO audiences! Two of our past productions reimagined Puccini’s beloved works in settings that highlight their drama, humor, and humanity. From transforming the Prince George Ballroom into the Donati family’s opulent home for Gianni Schicchi to re-staging Il Tabarro aboard the historic lightship Ambrose at the Seaport, we’ve explored Puccini’s scores in spaces that bring audiences into the heart of New York City and these classic stories!

As we celebrate Puccini’s birthday, we also celebrate opera’s past while looking forward—committed to crafting immersive, accessible experiences that invite everyone to feel the power of music and storytelling. Here’s to another year of shining light on beloved classics and inspiring new generations of opera lovers!

✨ Today, as we welcome the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year—we remember that each passing moment brings us c...
12/22/2024

✨ Today, as we welcome the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year—we remember that each passing moment brings us closer to brighter, longer days ahead. It’s a season of turning points and renewed possibilities.

In Murasaki’s Moon, Lady Murasaki overcomes the constraints of palace life by weaving a luminous story that transcends her confinement. Just as the solstice heralds the return of the sun, the act of creating art—like Murasaki’s writing—illuminates hidden corners of our world. At On Site Opera, we believe opera can bring that same glow, inspiring hope, connection, and understanding. By sharing these transformative experiences in accessible spaces, we invite everyone to find light in unexpected places, even in the darkest days.✨

This week, we’re opening our digital archives to release our production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visi...
12/20/2024

This week, we’re opening our digital archives to release our production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors. Captured at the in New York City and created in partnership with , this beloved holiday classic brings a community chorus of members who have experienced homelessness together with OSO professional soloists to tell a timeless story of hope.

As part of our “Opera Free-For-All” initiative, Amahl and the Night Visitors was originally presented free of charge, underscoring our commitment to bringing the arts, social services, and community support closer together. We invite you to revisit (or discover) this moving performance and celebrate the power of music to uplift, connect, and inspire this holiday season.

Watch now: bit.ly/3BwJ4No

This holiday season, we’re opening our digital archives again—this time with W.A. Mozart’s The Secret Gardener (La finta...
12/13/2024

This holiday season, we’re opening our digital archives again—this time with W.A. Mozart’s The Secret Gardener (La finta giardiniera)! Originally presented in May 2017 as a co-production with The Atlanta Opera’s Discoveries series, this site-specific performance brought an 18-year-old Mozart’s enchanting tale to life amid the lush blooms of the West Side Community Garden.

Filled with love, madness, and mistaken identities, The Secret Gardener unfolds like a musical mystery within the greenery. Now, in appreciation of our wonderful On Site Opera community, we’re sharing this performance free of charge—an opportunity to revisit (or discover) the beauty of opera in unexpected places.

Watch now: bit.ly/3BwJ4No

As our gift to you this holiday season, please enjoy this video of Secret Gardener, music by W.A Mozart, an English translation by Kelley Rourke and a newly crafted reduced orchestration by Yoni Kahn and Thomas Carroll. Presented at the West Side Community Garden. A co-production with The Atlanta Op...

New York isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a main character in every On Site Opera production.From the tranquil beauty of Wave...
12/07/2024

New York isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a main character in every On Site Opera production.

From the tranquil beauty of Wave Hill to the historic splendor of the South Street Seaport Museum, our operas transform iconic New York spaces into living, breathing works of art. We don’t just bring opera to life—we elevate the magic of the city itself.

By donating to On Site Opera, you’re supporting innovative performances and fostering deeper connections to the places we call home. Join us in creating unforgettable experiences that celebrate the soul of New York City.

Consider making a donation at the link in our bio!

This December, escape into an epic tale of love and fame! ✨This week, we’re inviting you to revisit our 2022 production ...
12/05/2024

This December, escape into an epic tale of love and fame!
✨This week, we’re inviting you to revisit our 2022 production of Murasaki’s Moon, staged at The MET Museum of Art with music by Michi Wiancko and text by Deborah Brevoort.

Inspired by the life of Lady Murasaki, author of the world’s first novel, The Tale of Genji, this opera takes you on a journey through 11th-century Japan. A lady-in-waiting in the Imperial Court, Murasaki feels trapped in her sequestered life—until her imagination sparks the creation of an epic story of love and freedom.

Perfect for audiences of all ages, we hope this captivating tale brings you peace and inspiration this season.

🎶Watch now: bit.ly/3BwJ4No

This  , we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible nonprofit partners who have helped bring opera into unexpected place...
12/03/2024

This , we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible nonprofit partners who have helped bring opera into unexpected places!

From the Bronx Zoo to the American Museum of Natural History, and from Wave Hill to the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, these organizations enrich NYC with conservation, education, housing, history, and community support.

We’re proud to have collaborated with:
✨ Bronx Zoo ()
✨ West Side Community Garden ()
✨ Breaking Ground ()
✨ Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen ()
✨ South Street Seaport Museum ()
✨ American Museum of Natural History ()
✨ Wave Hill ()
✨ Museum at Eldridge Street ( )
✨ The Met Museum ()

Learn more about their work, support their missions, and help us celebrate the vibrant community that makes our productions possible! 🌟

Need a good laugh after the holiday hustle? Maybe need a break from family squabbles? 😉This year, On Site Opera is givin...
12/03/2024

Need a good laugh after the holiday hustle? Maybe need a break from family squabbles? 😉

This year, On Site Opera is giving back to YOU! We’re thrilled to share exclusive recordings from our past productions, starting with Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi—staged at the stunning Prince George Ballroom in 2022.
Whether your Thanksgiving was filled with cozy moments or family drama worthy of an opera, this cheeky one-act comedy is sure to bring you joy.

Watch now at the link in our bio and stay tuned over the next few weeks as we release some of our favorite productions – we hope these classics will help keep your spirits high this holiday season! ♥️

Photo by Richard Termine

Need a good laugh after the holiday hustle? Maybe need a break from family squabbles? ;) This year, On Site Opera is giv...
12/03/2024

Need a good laugh after the holiday hustle? Maybe need a break from family squabbles? ;)

This year, On Site Opera is giving back to YOU! We’re thrilled to share exclusive recordings from our past productions, starting with Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi—staged at the stunning Prince George Ballroom in 2022.

Whether your Thanksgiving was filled with cozy moments or family drama worthy of an opera, this cheeky one-act comedy is sure to bring you joy.

Watch now at the link in our bio and stay tuned over the next few weeks as we release some of our favorite productions – we hope these classics will help keep your spirits high this holiday season: https://bit.ly/4fVa1JG

Photo by Richard Termine

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