By: Katy Lindhart
Next week, many Americans will gather to share a meal and express their gratitude. Here at BLO, we have so much to be thankful for this year, and we feel called to recognize and reflect on all we have to celebrate.
We recognize that Thanksgiving carries a complicated history, rooted in profound suffering, loss, and resilience for Indigenous peoples. Here in Boston, we are on the unceded lands of the Massachusett and Pawtucket people. In recognition of the enduring strength of those whose ancestral homelands we gather on, BLO commits to uplifting the diverse and vibrant voices who continue to shape and enrich our landscape today.
In the spirit of giving and gratitude, we wish to recognize:
Our people
While artists may step into the spotlight alone from time to time, every performance is the result of a collective effort by a diverse and talented team. Creating opera is truly a team sport. In fact, it’s not uncommon for more than 100 people to unite for a single production. It takes a pretty special group of people to create operatic magic, and our leadership, staff, artists, crew, creatives, board members, and volunteers are some of the very best.
From our guest artists, chorus, orchestra, and supers—who number in the dozens—to the many individuals working behind the scenes in the wings, backstage, and in the lighting booth, every role is essential. Consultants, dramaturgs, and stage directors uphold our artistic excellence, while our board and staff collaborate to make it all possible.
Through it all, our committed artistic leaders—Bradley Vernatter, our Stanford Calderwood General Director & Chief Executive Officer; Nina Yoshida Nelsen, our Artistic Director; David Angus, our Music Director; Anne Bogart, our Artistic Associate; and our Artistic Advisors Vimbayi Kaziboni and John Conklin—guide BLO with an open mind, a steady hand, and an eye on the future.
Our educators
Opera is alive and thriving in Boston, but it can only continue to flourish if we nurture a love of the arts in our youngest audience members. BLO’s teaching artists, educators, and community partners help us to bring our education programs to more than 8,000 families a year.
Schools like Lincoln School, the Dr. William W. Henderson Inclusion School, and NEC Prep participate in our Create Your Own Opera Partnership Program, which supports teachers in planning and implementing arts-integrated lessons into their daily curricula over the course of the school year, culminating in a performance or presentation. Our Resident Teaching Artists—Laura Nevitt and Kylie Fletcher—and our Master Teaching Artists—Lydia Furlong and Joel Esher—work directly with youth, sharing their expertise in various areas of opera creation, including singing, composition, directing, acting, and more!
The work they do is so vital, not only because it ensures opera’s future, but also because it helps to create brighter, more empathetic, and well-rounded adults. At our gala on November 10, we spotlighted the work these incredible these educators do, in a video you can watch here!
Our community
BLO is just one of the many arts organizations in the vibrant tapestry of Boston’s arts and culture scene, and the support of our community is essential to our success. We are so grateful to do our work alongside our community partners, who inspire us every day with their energy and creativity.
Our Street Stage partners—The Rose Kennedy Greenway, the National Park Service, Boston Harbor Now, IBA, Hibernian Hall/MPDC, and The City of Boston/Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, as well as other event partners and hosts like the Boston Public Library—help us to take live performances outside the traditional opera house to where they’re needed most: in our communities.
You
Our bright future is possible because of people like you. Opera may be magical in the rehearsal room, but it only truly comes alive with an audience to experience it. Whether you’re a donor, volunteer, audience member, or simply someone curious about opera—thank you.
We invite you to join our BLO family. By subscribing to our season, purchasing tickets, making a donation, attending a community event, or even just liking this post, you help us keep opera thriving in Boston. With Giving Tuesday approaching, we hope you’ll consider BLO in your annual giving plans.
However you choose to support us, your time, energy, and love for opera make all the difference. We couldn’t do this without you. Thank you for being part of our journey.
From all of us at BLO, we wish you and your loved ones a peaceful holiday season!