Celebrity

Opera’s Lack of Diversity Extends to Offstage, a Study Shows

Opera has long tackled the lack of racial diversity. Black, Latin and Asian singers struggle to play a major role. Works by color composers are rarely done.

And, according to a study published Thursday, there is also a significant shortage of minorities behind the scenes in the ranks of opera management.

A study by Opera America, a service organization for opera companies, found that only about one-fifth of the employees and executives of opera companies in the United States and Canada are of color compared to 39% of the general population. I did.

The findings renewed attention to the challenges faced by many companies as they work to attract a new and diverse audience, questions about expression in art after George Floyd was killed by police in 2020. Later, he emphasized the challenges that acquired new urgency.

“This shows that opera companies have a lot to do to better reflect our country and its community,” said Mark A, President and Chief Executive Officer of Opera America. Scorka said in an interview. “In order for opera to be the connected, contemporary cultural expression we want, it needs to reflect this country.”

This study showed some signs of progress. Women currently hold 61% of opera managers and 54% of leadership positions.

And opera companies have taken steps in recent years to bring more racial diversity to the stage.

The Metropolitan Opera, the nation’s largest performing arts organization, staged Terence Blanchard’s “Fire Shut Up In My Bones” last year. This is the first opera in history by a black composer. Last year, the Houston Grand Opera premiered “Snow Day,” based on the 1962 book, one of the first mainstream children’s books to feature a black hero.

Wayne S. Brown, Chairman of the Opera America Board of Directors and President and Chief Executive Officer of Detroit Opera, who staged Anthony Davis’s “X: Malcolm X’s Life and Era” this year, is working to attract companies. Said that it is important. People with different backgrounds in management through mentoring programs and other initiatives.

“It’s time to wake up,” he said in an interview. “We have to ask ourselves.” Do we reflect who we are? Is this the image we chose to project? “”

The survey is based on a survey of approximately 1,200 administrative staff and 1,500 trustees from 97 companies and is the first in the industry.

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