Opera scene

Opera

UNI Opera has an exciting season ahead!

We pride ourselves in being a program that is successful because of the participation of a mixture of undergraduate music majors and non-majors and graduate voice students. When students are interested in opera, we understand the educational value to them in whatever field they will pursue. We are stronger because of our inclusive approach to participation. Additional collaborations with the dance program and the theatre department have rejuvenated our creativity and created a professional atmosphere in which students participate in the highly collaborative process of bringing an opera to the stage.
 
To get involved in UNI Opera on stage, backstage or to support our young artists, please contact music@uni.edu. 

Opera

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Support UNI Opera by attending a performance!

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In addition to attending performances, please consider further supporting our students and program by donating to the UNI Opera Fund to help support our outstanding students and our production needs.

 

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History & Mission

The mission of UNI Opera is to engage and nurture students in the creative and collaborative process of performing and producing multi-disciplinary musical works for the stage, so that graduates have a solid and comprehensive foundation to pursue a successful and enjoyable professional and/or personal musical life journey.

UNI Opera began in 1955 with its first production, Gianni Schicchi, when the University of Northern Iowa was still known as the Iowa State Teachers College. Since then, the ensemble has produced over 80 full productions, multiple musicals, countless scenes programs and galas, and many outreach performances. 

We have a long legacy, mounting fully produced shows each year since 1900.  The comic opera Robin Hood was put on by The Aristotelian Literary Society in 1900, making UNI Opera one of the oldest opera programs in our state. We have a long list of graduates from the UNI School of Music voice and opera program who have gone on to have successful careers in opera. Read more about alumni in our Alumni Profiles.

Students in UNI opera regularly work with outstanding faculty, student, and guest musicians. Full productions include regular collaboration with the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra.

 

Opera singers
Giving to Opera

UNI Opera Fund

Want to get involved? Donations to the University of Northern Iowa Opera Fund aid in providing performance opportunities, technical support for full productions, opportunities for travel, and much more for students in Opera. Your contribution to the ensemble is one of the many ways to cultivate support for music at UNI, and is important for the continued success of UNI Opera. Please consider donating a gift to the UNI Opera Fund through the UNI Foundation by clicking the link below. See you at the next performance!

Give to the UNI Opera Fund

"As a Vocal Performance major at UNI I have had life changing opportunities while being a part of the UNI opera ensemble. It's amazing to think that I am able to learn how to move an audience while making lifelong friendships at the same time."

-Megan Grey - BM 2016, MM 2018

"The opera program at UNI has provided me with a family that has not only encouraged growth on stage, but provided skills necessary to succeed off stage in academia. Because of this program and the talented team who direct it, I have found a deep love and appreciation for not only this art and university, but the family I have come to know because of it."

-MaKayla McDonald - BM 2015, MM 2017