Boston Lyric Opera commits to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organization. We recognize that this work will take time, intentional actions, and accountability from our Board, employees, artists, patrons, and community. We commit to embracing individuals from all backgrounds and identities.

We acknowledge that the history of opera and of those engaged in opera has not always been diverse or inclusive, and we believe that we can address the necessary changes for opera to evolve and thrive in Boston.

Opera has the power to speak truth, broaden perspectives, and invite empathy.

While we value the universality of themes in the works we produce, we acknowledge that the power held in these stories is different for different people. We will continue to ensure that the programs and productions we share will give voice and representation to diverse artistry and perspectives.

OUR VALUES

Boston Lyric Opera commits to exhibiting the following values:

  • We acknowledge and appreciate the inherent human rights of all individuals, without discrimination.
  • We believe that our work must be based on mutual respect.
  • We aim to examine our actions so that we may act without bias based on the differences we encounter during our work.
  • We aspire to listen, learn, and seek diversity among the voices that join us in our work.

OUR ACTIONS

BLO has engaged in the following actionable steps as part of our practice toward becoming a more diverse, accessible, equitable, and inclusive organization:

  • In Summer 2020, members of Boston Lyric Opera’s Board, Staff, and Artists participated in Arts Connect International’s 2020 Cultural Equity Learning Community, a 16-week course that included readings, conversations, and lectures.
  • In Summer 2020, BLO established a DEIA Council comprised of members of BLO’s Board and Staff.
  • In Winter 2021, BLO signed the Black Opera Alliance’s Pledge for Racial Equity and Systemic Change in Opera, responding with emphasis around Personnel & Hiring Practices, Board Recruitment & Executive Searches, Artistic Programming & Training, and a Code of Conduct.
  • In Spring 2021, BLO Board and Staff engaged InclusionBoston through YW Boston to customize a facilitation process to lead to an action plan specific to the Company. Our partnership with YW Boston continued through May 2022.
  • In Summer 2021, BLO joined together with the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) to establish the BLO-Union Joint IDEA Committee (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility), an advisory group to discuss issues as they relate to BLO’s work and relationships to the respective local unions.
  • In Fall 2021, BLO engaged with Asian Opera Alliance and has continued conversations about advocating for greater Asian representation in opera.
  • BLO is committed to an anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policy that is reaffirmed annually by the Board, Staff, Artists, Creative, and Production Teams.

OUR FUTURE

This is where we are today. We will continue to update our community as our work evolves. We are committed to engaging with you as we continue to learn and grow together.

We are here to listen and reflect as we do this work, and we invite you to share your feedback about opera, classical music, and BLO’s work. We will listen and answer your questions. We invite you to connect with us at access@blo.org.

Boston Lyric Opera aspires to reflect the communities of which it is a part and must therefore encourage diversity, achieve equity, and foster inclusion among the Board and Administrative Staff regardless of identity. With changing demographics, funding sources, and stakeholder expectations, BLO has assembled a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Council that will define initiatives, review processes, implement changes, measure progress, and improve structures and systems within the organization to ensure that the opera is an art for all, not just for some. The focus will be to increase racial, socio-economic, gender, and age diversity across the organization and to improve recruitment, hiring, promotion, and retention of Board and Staff members.

This Council will support BLO as an organization committed to racial equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion by actively participating in cultural competency and DEIA curriculum. The Council will work to define core values, implement, review, measure, and improve diversity initiatives with a perspective toward institutional, administrative, and governance to ensure lasting change. The Council will recommend recruitment policies, processes, and annual benchmarks for adoption by the organization that will enhance the diversity of the Board and full-time Administrative Staff members.

This Council is comprised of members of the Board of Directors and Advisors, members of BLO Committees, full-time administrative Company Staff, and members of the PRIMA Engagement Committee.

DEIA Council Members:

  • Michael Puzo, Co-Chair, Board of Directors
  • Anne Morgan, Co-Chair, Board of Directors
  • Olivia Begos, Administrative Coordinator
  • Sarah Blume, Director of Major Gifts
  • Jorgeandrés Camargo, Joint BLO-Union IDEA Committee rep
  • Andy Eisenberg, Board of Directors
  • Amy Hunter, Board of Advisors
  • Maria Krokidas, Board of Directors
  • Lizabeth Malanga, Senior Director of Administration
  • Mariel O’Connell, Director of Sales
  • Samuel Parkinson, Board of Advisors
  • Ben Richter, Senior Director of Producing Operasions
  • Lauren Schultes, Prima Engagement Committee
  • Bradley Vernatter, Stanford Calderwood General Director & CEO

 The BLO Joint-Union IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) Committee is an advisory group with representatives from AFM, AGMA, IATSE, and BLO that examines issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the artistic and producing work of each union, BLO productions, and, more broadly, the field of opera.

The purpose of the Joint-Union IDEA Committee is to educate the Parties on these issues and to raise areas of need within the organizations, providing non-binding strategic advice and proposals to the management of the Parties. The Joint-Union IDEA Committee will work in partnership with each Party’s existing DEI working groups and initiatives.