Greater Worcester Opera (formerly known as Worcester Opera Works) is an organization whose two-fold mission includes both opera performance and opera education. World-famous tenor, conductor and artistic director Placido Domingo stated that "...if children would learn about opera from an early age, many of them will be open to it and want to know more. They will grow up appreciating opera..." He went on to say that "... you can't really blame the parents for not taking their children to the opera, if they grew up with rock 'n' roll themselves. It's a matter of education. It's a matter of breaking this chain and beginning to develop familiarity with opera in the next generations as early as possible." (Classical Singer Magazine, September 2004)

Along with our desire to educate children about opera, we also wish to bring more live opera performance to the Central Massachusetts area. The greater Worcester area has a rich tradition in the arts, and we feel that there should be more opera performed by the talented local singers of this area. We are committed to creating and expanding the live performance opportunities to be shared by both our audiences and our singers. Those who have attended a live performance know that hearing the beauty of the human voice, unamplified and unaffected, is a very unique thing. There is a vast repertoire of music which requires these well-trained, full voices to bring them to life. Music was created to be performed, and opera is certainly meant to be enjoyed by all. Part of our mission is to bring the joy of opera to everyone we can. 

Greater Worcester Opera, founded in 2003 as Worcester Opera Works, was started and is run by singers who are dedicated bringing the art of opera to everyone. We are always greatly appreciative of any help, financial or otherwise, which people feel compelled to give.

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Audition Information

Greater Worcester Opera appreciates the generosity of our hosting organization, Briarwood Community Center, whose directors kindly allow us to rehearse in their community hall, and we perform many of our concerts at this lovely facility . Our mainstage operatic production is performed each June at the historic Warner Theatre at Worcester Academy, and the school also hosts master classes given by some of GWO's professional singers.  In 2011 our company will have an encore performance of our mainstage opera at the Eagle Hill Cultural Center in Hardwick, MA; under the auspices of the Gilbert Players (musical theatre group in residence at the EHCC) opera will be added to the culturally rich and diverse assortment of music, dance and theatre at this beautiful performance facility. 

Support Greater Worcester Opera
Like all arts organizations, much of our financial support comes from the generosity of people who love the arts and show their support by contributing to the the work of organizations like ours. Much of our work is done by volunteers, but there are still many costs involved in creating artistic work. We are very appreciative of donations of any size to our organization. All donations are tax-deductible.