History

The San Antonio Opera has a rich and colorful history. While most opera companies are launched with a major gift by a generous patron, or seed money given from public sources or foundation support, the San Antonio Opera started with just a pocket full of money and a vision. In 1996, after a 15 year absence of opera in San Antonio, local tenor and businessman Mark Anton Richter began what was then known as the San Antonio Pocket Opera.

With a modest budget of $6,000, the company began production of one-act operas with local talent and a few instruments in the orchestra pit. Initially housed at the 440 seat San Pedro Playhouse, the opera utilized left over scenery from Playhouse shows, with the set for it first opera being the background of the just closed production of Wizard of Oz.

The opera currently performs at the Lila Cockrell Theatre and for the 2009-2010 season, at the Municipal Auditorium, while Lila Cockrell undergoes a renovation.

The San Antonio Opera currently has a budget in excess of $2,000,000 and contracts both internationally renowned artists as well as some of the most talented young performers in our country. The opera orchestra consists of 48-58 symphony musicians, mostly performers of the SA Symphony, and a semi-professional chorus made up of 44 local vocalists. Each season consists of 3 major operas which perform to over 14,000 patrons annually. The opera's educational program continues to grow and is expected to reach 30,000 children in 2009-2010. During the past 12 seasons, the opera has produced 47 major operas and concerts starring some of the world's greatest opera and music stars including Placido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli, Frederica von Stade and Roberta Peters.

San Antonio Opera has become a leader in innovative approaches to diversifying its audiences with Hispanic patrons. Future collaborations include a zarzuela project involving Placido Domingo and the Washington National Opera. The opera conducts auditions in New York City, Los Angeles, Monterey, Mexico and Guadalajara, Mexico. The company is scheduled to move into the city's new Performing Arts Center in 2012 as an anchor tenant.