Con Grazia: The Reciprocal Benefits of Collaboration Between Houses of Worship and Opera Companies, or, The Top Seven Reasons Why Opera Companies and Houses of Worship Should Collaborate

by Jeffrey Springer

Opera is an art form that entrances audiences globally with its rich melodies, elaborate costumes, and captivating performances. Nevertheless, opera can sometimes appear detached from a community's everyday life, leading to a perception of being anachronistic, elitist, and inaccessible to the average person. Engaging with audiences and ensuring relevance are vital considerations for all artists, especially those whose repertoire can be centuries old.

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Despite their apparent differences, opera and houses of worship share a common goal: to remain meaningful within their communities and reach out to others. Both recognize the gap between public perceptions of inaccessibility and their desire to welcome new people to their events. This shared understanding forms a strong foundation for potential collaboration, fostering a sense of commonality and mutual benefit.

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For an opera company, staying relevant means focusing on our art and our audience. It's not about dumbing down. We must ask ourselves if our work is at the highest possible level that stimulates the artists while being relatable to the audience. The same can be said about organized faith communities that wish to reach more people but remain true to their beliefs.

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To bridge this gap, a mutually beneficial collaboration between a local church and an opera company can revolutionize how opera is perceived and experienced by both the traditional opera audience and the local church congregation. By working together, they can create unique and meaningful performances that resonate with audiences. Combining their talents and resources allows them to stage standard operas with sacred or religious themes, perform sacred oratorios that bring Bible stories to life, or commission new works that engage opera audiences and the congregation alike. Moreover, integrating a church's music ministry and choir with an opera company can result in a synergy that enhances the artistic quality of both entities.

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Collaboration between an opera company and a local church, synagogue, or mosque can tap into the community's rich talent pool and cultural diversity. The church's members, with their wide range of skills and talents, can be integrated into the production process, bringing a renewed energy and authenticity to the performances. This collaboration not only enriches the opera experience but also fosters a sense of belonging and importance for community members who may have otherwise been excluded from the world of opera, making it more accessible and inclusive.

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The Top Sevens Reasons Why Opera Companies and Houses of Worship Should Collaborate

1. Bringing New People to the Opera and to the Worship House

Opera House:​ Opera companies have an excellent opportunity to connect with congregations and extend their presence into new communities. Many places of worship boast large membership bases and serve as significant cultural centers in their communities. Through hosting performances or establishing partnerships with opera companies, these institutions can introduce their members to an art form they may have yet to encounter or fully appreciate. This exposure can cultivate a deeper understanding and admiration for the arts, potentially persuading members to attend future performances. Collaboration allows opera companies to introduce their art form to a broader demographic, dismantling barriers and expanding their appeal.

Worship House: Collaborating with an opera company can help a church draw new people to its congregation. Opera, with its rich musical and dramatic elements, has a unique ability to capture audiences from all walks of life. By partnering with an opera company, churches can tap into their community's diverse pool of opera enthusiasts and music lovers. This collaboration provides a platform for the church to introduce its congregation to a new form of artistic expression and deepen their connections with individuals who have not previously considered attending a church service. It allows the church to reach people interested in spiritual matters but may have hesitated due to the traditional format of church services. By offering a unique combination of spiritual and artistic expression, churches can attract individuals who may have otherwise been hesitant to attend a church or temple.

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2. Outreach to Diverse Audiences

Opera & Worship: Houses of worship provide valuable opportunities for opera companies to connect with diverse communities, including those of different cultures, races, ethnicities, and social statuses. By partnering with these religious institutions, opera companies can create performances and initiatives representing various cultural and spiritual traditions, tailoring performances and programs to address specific cultural or religious perspectives. On the other hand, there may be traditional opera audience members who have not felt welcome in religious settings but find acceptance through artistic offerings. This collaborative approach has the potential to challenge stereotypes, break down barriers, and cultivate a deep appreciation for opera among individuals who may have previously felt overlooked, excluded, or marginalized.

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3. Fostering Team Building and Volunteerism

Worship: Collaborating with an opera company provides churches with a unique opportunity to foster team building and volunteerism within their communities. Opera productions are complex endeavors that require the coordination of many individuals with different skill sets. By working together on an opera production, churches can engage their members in a collective effort that requires teamwork and dedication. This collaboration not only strengthens relationships among church members but also encourages volunteerism, as members can volunteer their time, skills, and resources to support the opera production.

Opera:​ Volunteerism is the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations such as opera companies. Working with a church, synagogue, or mosque has the potential to offer a fresh stream of volunteers with new skill sets and different perspectives.

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4. Synergy of Combined Talent

Opera:​ When opera companies work with local institutions, such as houses of worship, they can discover and showcase exceptional musical talent within the community. These institutions often have choirs, instrumentalists, and soloists with outstanding skills. By collaborating, opera companies can allow these local performers to showcase their talents on a stage and help nurture and develop their skills. This partnership benefits the performers and fosters a sense of community and pride.

Worship: Working in partnership with opera companies enables churches to access the expertise of skilled professional musicians and vocalists. These individuals possess a profound knowledge of musical composition and performance. By collaborating with opera companies, churches can gain valuable guidance and wisdom from these professionals. This collaboration can potentially elevate the quality of the church's music programs, making them more sophisticated and engaging for the congregation and the wider community. By embracing the practices of opera companies in music production, churches can enhance their music programs and attract new musicians, ultimately enriching the worship experience for all attendees.

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5. A New Way to Spread a Message

Worship: Collaborating with an opera company offers churches a new way to spread their message to a wider audience. Opera, with its powerful storytelling and emotional appeal, can effectively communicate spiritual and moral values in ways that traditional church services may not. By incorporating religious themes or incorporating opera performances into church services, churches can reach a wider audience and resonate with individuals who may be less familiar with traditional church teachings. This collaboration provides an opportunity for churches to bring the beauty of their faith to a wider audience, attracting new believers and deepening the understanding of their existing ones.

Collaborating with an opera company opens new possibilities for churches to explore a new medium for worship. Traditional church services often involve hymns, prayers, and sermons, while opera combines music, drama, and storytelling to create a unique and immersive experience. By incorporating opera elements into their worship services, churches can bring a fresh perspective to traditional worship practices. This collaboration allows churches to engage their congregations more meaningfully and profoundly, deepening their spiritual connection and fostering a greater sense of spiritual awe.

Opera: Commissioning New Works or Gaining Fresh Perspectives on Standard Repertoire
Collaborating with houses of worship can give opera companies a fresh perspective on standard repertoire. By presenting familiar works in new contexts, companies can challenge traditional interpretations and engage audiences in thought-provoking discussions.

This partnership encourages the creation of new works that promote collaboration between the community and the opera house, exploring the intersection of opera and spirituality. Such an environment allows for the creation of new operas that resonate with the spiritual traditions of different communities, offering a unique and engaging experience for audiences. By commissioning these works, opera companies can contribute to the artistic landscape and promote cultural diversity.
Staging Oratorios to Bring Bible/Sacred Stories to Life.

In addition to opera, oratorios offer a rich collection of musical literature dedicated to recounting sacred stories. They are inherently dramatic and can be staged in a church setting. By partnering with an opera company, places of worship can bring sacred stories to life in a musically powerful and visually striking manner. Allowing for the inclusion of operatic elements like drama, vocal performances, and orchestral music intensifies these timeless tales' emotional impact.

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6. Building Relevancy in the Community

Opera:​ Partnering with religious institutions can help opera companies become more relevant within local communities. By staging performances in atypical settings, organizations can reach new audiences and create opportunities for community participation. These partnerships also support creating educational programs, workshops, and discussions, which can increase community involvement and foster a deeper appreciation for opera. This increased relevance allows companies to build stronger connections with their audiences and promote a greater sense of cultural and artistic significance within the community.

Worship: Houses of worship have the potential to foster community vitality through dramatic performances. Operatic performances can be a powerful way to celebrate holidays, connecting with people when they are most open to the church's message. A house of worship can also embrace the operatic tradition of using the form to mark significant events or honor important individuals. It can also serve as a platform to address social issues relevant to their communities.

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7. Economic Impact

Opera & Worship: Embracing collaboration opens up exciting possibilities for both parties to expand their offerings, pool resources, and share expenses. For instance, the opera company stands to gain from utilizing a rent-free performance space offered by the house of worship, while the house of worship can benefit from the valuable contributions of opera company singers, musicians, and technical staff.

In addition to attracting a wider audience, a partnership between an opera company and a church can also have a positive economic impact on the Community. The productions can attract tourists and locals, create job opportunities, boost local businesses, and generate revenue for the opera company and the church. Moreover, the collaboration can catalyze community engagement and cultural exchange, promoting artistic appreciation and cultural understanding.

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In conclusion, the partnership between a local house of worship and an opera company presents a wealth of reciprocal benefits. These include an expanded audience base, reaching diverse communities, gaining fresh perspectives on classic works, accessing new local talent, showcasing that talent, and enhancing relevance. Such collaborations also offer opportunities to create new works that explore the connections between opera and spirituality, enriching both art forms. By embracing these partnerships, opera companies and houses of worship can extend their influence, forge new connections, and bolster their cultural impact.