University Opera, part of the Mead Witter School of Music, presents two fully staged operas each year. The season is made possible by the support of alumni, friends, and community organizations. Due to the significant costs of producing opera, the university can fund only a small fraction of the opera budget. Generous donors have helped underwrite productions and support students who would not otherwise have been able to attend UW–Madison.
University Opera has gained national attention as the recipient of 10 National Opera Association Production Awards and five awards from The American Prize since 2015.
In addition to presenting works from the standard repertory, University Opera is dedicated to presenting new operas as well as works representing diverse composers and topics.
In addition to mainstage presentations, we offer Opera Workshop, a course dedicated to the study of staging skills and repertoire, culminating each semester in performances of opera and musical theater scenes and one-act pieces.