El Paso Opera, El Paso

El Paso Opera began in 1992 as “Opera a la Carte,” changed its name in 1993, and became a full opera company by 1994. Its first fully staged production was Puccini’s Tosca in January 1994. Since then, it has presented professional productions with live orchestras and is recognized as the first U.S. opera company to use dual supertitles in both English and Spanish.

The company stages operas by Puccini, Mozart, and Verdi, including La Bohème, Madama Butterfly, The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Aida, and La Traviata. It also presents newer works such as Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, known as the first mariachi opera, along with Vidas Perfectas and Frida. In addition to theatre productions, performances are sometimes held in open-air and urban spaces to reach more people.

Education and community programs are an important part of its work. Youth Night at the Opera lets students attend a full performance free of charge, while “Secrets of the Stage” offers backstage access. Teaching artists visit schools, and the #CurbsideOpera program, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, still brings performances on a mobile stage to parks, senior living centres, and hospitals. The company also collaborates with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and Opera UTEP.