NYOA Next! 2025
Photo Heather Bobeck Photography
New York Opera Alliance announces “NYOA Next” Concert Inviting Audiences to Explore Opera from all Five Boroughs
Performance on June 16, 2025 at 7:30pm
Christ and St. Stephen’s Church, NYC
Hailed as “a remarkably strong and diverse exploration of everything opera can be in the city (The New York Times),” the New York Opera Alliance (NYOA), with support from OPERA America, today announced NYOA Next, a new citywide opera series spotlighting local artists and companies in each of New York’s five boroughs. This year NYOA Next will be performing at Christ and St. Stephen’s Church on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, celebrating NYC’s vibrant and varied opera community. Opera companies from around the five boroughs.
“We are thrilled to be launching this comprehensive borough-wide initiative that will encourage deeper exploration throughout the city’s diverse neighborhoods while supporting small opera companies and spotlighting local artists,” explains Marianna Mott Newirth, former president of NYOA. “Our aim is to bring this most complex of performing art forms to more and more people who never considered attending opera before. We are here to celebrate, rejuvenate and expand the very meaning of what opera is for all New Yorkers to discover.”
Through shared resources and collaborations, NYOA Next is an event held one a year in a rotating cycle through all five boroughs. This unique series provides a platform for the entire opera ecosystem to perform, network, and connect to both each other and their patrons.
Each borough-specific series begins with a general audition and showcase for local singers, followed by highlights of upcoming productions, and ends with an opera salon & jam for the participants and neighbors to share resources, music and food.
“After seven years of hosting the New York Opera Festival, we are repositioning our programming to better complement our mission of community building,” explains Newirth. “Our field is changing and NYOA Next is our response to the call. Now is the time for our opera community to collaborate and learn how to not only survive, but also thrive, in the present economy. There is strength and power in working together at the community level and NYOA Next is a shining example of the benefit that results from it.”
NYOA Next! perfomance is June 16 at 7:30pm with $20 tickets available via https://our.show/operafest2025 and at the door (cash only). This main stage event will feature performances by NYOA opera companies including American Opera Projects, Ardea Arts, Bronx Opera, Collectio Musicorum, Encompass New Opera Theater, International Brazilian Opera Company, Lighthouse Opera, Off Brand Opera, Opera for Earth, Regina Opera Company, and SAS Performing Arts Company.
photos Heather Bobeck Photography
About New York Opera Alliance
The New York Opera Alliance (NYOA) is a consortium of New York City opera companies and producers established to enhance and support the vaisibility and viability of opera in NYC. Founded in 2011, NYOA has grown from 13 organizations to 50 strong. Since 2013, NYOA has been fiscally sponsored by OPERA America. NYOA believes that New Yorkers and visitors to New York alike can be better informed about the breadth, range and vitality of New York City’s opera-producing community. NYOA is a community-driven organization; together, they aspire to increase awareness of participating organizations, share ideas and resources, and generate revenue for collaborative projects.
About OPERA America
OPERA America is the national membership organization for artists, administrators, trustees and audiences, dedicated to supporting the creation, presentation and enjoyment of opera. Based in New York City at the National Opera Center, a custom-built rehearsal and performance facility for the opera field, OPERA America is committed to advancing new work, audience engagement, civic practice, artist and leadership development, research, national advocacy and an inclusive industry that moves opera forward in America.
NYOANext: Bronx | Tickets + Programming
Thu Apr 20 @ 11:30-4:30 p.m. Bronx General Audition Showcase
Bronx Music Heritage Center, 1303 Louis Nine Boulevard, Bronx, New York, 10459
Sat Apr 22 @ 2:00-4:00 p.m. Bronx Opera in Performance
Lucius T Wasserman Auditorium at The Bronx House, 990 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, New York, 10461
Program: New York City-based opera companies and/or artists performing highlights of upcoming opera productions. Participants include two Bronx based companies: Bronx Opera & The Lighthouse Opera Company, plus Manhattan Opera Repertory Ensemble, Little Opera Theatre of NY with Harlem Opera Theater, Encompass New Opera Theatre, International Brazilian Opera Company, Regina Opera, and Opera Praktikos featuring Deaf actress Amelia Hensley (Spring Awakening) in collaboration with mezzo-soprano Shanley Horvitz. Tix + Info: General $25/Seniors & Students $15. [PROGRAM]
Sun Apr 23 @ 2:00-4:00 p.m. Opera Salon + Jam
Bronx Music Heritage Center, 1303 Louis Nine Boulevard, Bronx, New York, 10459
Tix + Info: FREE. Suggested donation $5-$10. Open to the public. Join the Bronx opera community, bring your own sheet music and instruments for an open mic opera jam.
