What Manitoba Opera Association does

Manitoba Opera Association Inc. is a private, non-profit registered charity and Manitoba's only full-time professional opera company, founded in 1969 by Justice Kerr Twaddle and headquartered in the lower level of the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg. The organization produces two fully staged mainstage opera productions annually (six performances plus two student dress rehearsals) at the 2,161-seat Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall, utilizing the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for orchestral accompaniment, professional singers, and in-house production staff.

Beyond mainstage productions, Manitoba Opera operates an extensive portfolio of education and community engagement programs including Opera School, Opera Storytime (offered in multiple languages including ASL with planned Anishinaabemowin, Korean, and Ukrainian translations), Student Night at the Opera, Opera in a Trunk, and school performance tours. The Digital Emerging Artists Program (DEAP), launched in 2020, and the Next Stage Artist Program provide training and performance opportunities for emerging Canadian opera singers. The Opera Access Program donates hundreds of tickets annually through partnerships with social service agencies including Ka Ni Kanichihk, N'Dinawemak, CNIB, Inclusion Winnipeg, Sunshine House, the Winnipeg School Division EAL program, and the Winnipeg Military Community.

Revenue is generated through four primary streams: ticket sales (subscriptions, single tickets, group discounts for 8+, and gift certificates), individual donations including planned giving and the Power of Voice Endowment Campaign, corporate sponsorship (with BMO as Season Presenting Sponsor since 2017, Canada Life as education and community engagement lead since 1972, and additional partners including RBC, IG Wealth Management, Johnston Group, Manitoba Liquor Marts, Payworks, Stantec, and Qualico), and multi-tiered government and foundation grants from Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Arts Council, City of Winnipeg, The Winnipeg Foundation, Thomas Sill Foundation, and The Asper Foundation. Distribution operates through direct box office channels (in-person, phone, online), the Opera Boutique for merchandise, and the Opera Access Program as a community distribution partner.

Name

Manitoba Opera Association

Legal name

Manitoba Opera Association Inc.

Website

https://mbopera.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Manitoba Opera Association is Manitoba's only full-time professional opera company, producing two mainstage productions annually at the 2,161-seat Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg, alongside school programs, artist development initiatives, and the Opera Access Program serving underserved communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Opera

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Professional opera productions
• Performing arts organization
• Opera education programs
• Community arts engagement
• Live performing arts

Headquarters

HQ city

Winnipeg

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from subscriptions, single tickets, group discounts, and gift certificates for live opera performances at the Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall. Subscribers receive priority access and best seating.
2. Individual Donations: Individual giving program including annual donations, planned giving/endowments, and the Power of Voice Endowment Campaign. Donors receive tax receipts and recognition.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate partnerships including season presenting sponsors, production sponsors, education sponsors, and official partners at various contribution levels.
4. Government and Foundation Grants: Support from public funders including Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Arts Council, and City of Winnipeg, as well as foundations such as The Winnipeg Foundation and Thomas Sill Foundation.
5. Merchandise Sales: Sale of opera merchandise including CDs, DVDs, books, and gift items through the Opera Boutique on performance nights.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Manitoba Opera produces and presents live professional opera performances, delivering two fully staged mainstage productions per season at the 2,161-seat Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Beyond mainstage productions, the company delivers school-based and community-based education programs (Opera School, Opera Storytime, Student Night at the Opera, Opera in a Trunk, Opera Class, School Performance Tours), ticketing products (subscriptions, single tickets, group discounts, gift certificates), artist training initiatives (Digital Emerging Artists Program, Next Stage Artist Program), and the Opera Access Program that donates tickets to underserved community members via partner agencies.

Product overview

Manitoba Opera is a professional performing arts organization offering a unified portfolio of live opera productions and educational programs. The core offering consists of two fully staged mainstage opera productions annually at the Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall, complemented by extensive school and community engagement programs including Opera School, Opera Storytime, Student Night at the Opera, and the Digital Emerging Artists Program (DEAP). Ticketing products include season subscriptions, single tickets, group discounts, and gift certificates. The company also operates the Opera Access Program for community outreach and the Manitoba Opera Boutique for merchandise sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mainstage Opera Productions Two fully staged professional opera productions per season presented at the 2,161-seat Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall, featuring the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, professional singers, elaborate sets and costumes, and full production crews. Audience includes subscribers and single-ticket buyers.
• Subscriptions Season subscription packages that offer discounted tickets for multiple opera productions in a season, with priority access and best seating for returning patrons. Sold through the box office (in-person, phone, online).
• Single Tickets Individual performance tickets available for purchase per specific opera production; sold at the box office in-person, by phone, or online at purchase.mbopera.ca.
• Group Discount Tickets Discounted ticket pricing for groups of 8 or more attendees, targeting schools, organizations, and corporate groups. Contact via box office phone 204-957-7842 or email [email protected].
• Gift Certificates Gift vouchers available in any denomination, redeemable online, by phone, or in person for tickets or merchandise at the Manitoba Opera Boutique. Valid for two years from purchase.
• Opera School School-based opera education program bringing opera experiences directly to students through workshops and performances.
• Opera Storytime Storytelling program that introduces children to opera through interactive read-aloud sessions, available in multiple languages including ASL with planned translations in Anishinaabemowin, Korean, and Ukrainian.
• Student Night at the Opera Dress rehearsal attendance opportunity for students and educational groups to experience live opera at discounted rates.
• Opera in a Trunk Hands-on educational program where opera-related materials and activities are delivered to schools.
• Opera Class Classroom-based opera instruction program for students.
• School Performance Tours Mobile opera productions that tour to schools across Manitoba.
• Digital Emerging Artists Program (DEAP) Online training intensive providing vocal instruction, professional development, performance experience, and earning opportunities for emerging Canadian opera singers.
• Next Stage Artist Program Program supporting the development of emerging opera artists with career advancement opportunities at Manitoba Opera.
• Opera Access Program Community outreach initiative that donates hundreds of opera tickets annually to social service agencies including Ka Ni Kanichihk, N'Dinawemak, CNIB, Inclusion Winnipeg, Sunshine House, and Winnipeg School Division EAL program, enabling underserved community members to attend performances.
• Manitoba Opera Boutique Merchandise shop selling opera-related items including CDs, DVDs, books, and gift items, operated on performance nights.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10th time in 12 seasons ended with surplus (2011/12)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• BMOcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Season Presenting Sponsor since 2017. BMO's generous contributions have enabled opera to flourish and share powerful stories with the community. Also underwriter of Li Keur: Riel's Heart of the North, celebrating diversity and Indigenous communities.
• Canada LifecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLead sponsor of education and community engagement initiatives since 1972. Committed to promoting cultural diversity and advancing reconciliation. Supporting Métis culture through Li Keur: Riel's Heart of the North and Indigenous-led opera programming.
• Johnston GroupmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading provider of employee benefits and group insurance solutions. Sponsorship of The Elixir of Love and broader season support reflecting commitment to community and the arts.
• IG Wealth ManagementmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason sponsor building stronger communities through partnership with Manitoba Opera, combining dedication to bringing opera to Manitoba with commitment to financial well-being of Canadians.
• Manitoba Liquor MartsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2023/24 season reflecting dedication to enriching the cultural landscape of Manitoba through joint commitment to community support.
• PayworksmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOpera Access Program partner committed to fostering creativity and inclusion. Supporting Opera Storytime program translations including ASL, with upcoming translations in Anishinaabemowin, Korean, and Ukrainian.
• StantecmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOpera Access Program partner and industry leader in professional design and consulting services. Makes community support an integral part of their business, nurturing the arts and fostering connection.
• QualicomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial partner supporting Manitoba Opera's operations and community engagement initiatives.
• RBC Emerging ArtistsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerDedicated supporter of Digital Emerging Artists Program (DEAP) since its inception in 2020. Since 2007, RBC has been an advocate for emerging artists to establish themselves within the artistic community.
• Winnipeg Symphony OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional orchestra providing orchestral accompaniment for all Manitoba Opera mainstage productions. Partnership creates comprehensive musical experience for audiences.
• Royal Winnipeg BalletminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative arts organization in Winnipeg contributing to the vibrant arts scene that supports opera productions and artist development.
• Taylor McCaffrey LLPmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWinnipeg-based law firm and performance sponsor of La Cenerentola. Committed to community contribution and supporting local arts organizations for over 40 years.
• The Pollack Braun Blatt Advisory Group (CIBC Wood Gundy)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMultigenerational wealth management practice and performance sponsor of La Cenerentola, encouraging clients to dream and supporting the community.
• Red River Co-opminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity pillar of support for Manitoba Opera's mission to enrich the cultural tapestry of the community, supporting Li Keur: Riel's Heart of the North.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Canadian Opera Company: Canada's largest professional opera company, based in Toronto. Directly comparable as a Canadian opera company producing fully staged mainstage productions with full orchestra, subscription ticketing, education programs, and corporate sponsorship. Larger in scale but operates in the same product category and serves overlapping donor and funder pools.
• Opéra de Montréal: Major French-language professional opera company in Montréal producing fully staged mainstage productions with orchestra. Directly comparable in product category (staged opera), ticketing model, education programming, and reliance on Canadian public arts funders.
• Vancouver Opera: Western Canada's largest professional opera company, producing mainstage opera seasons in Vancouver with full orchestra. Closely comparable in business model (subscription + single tickets, corporate sponsorship, donor base, education programs) and partially overlapping geography (western Canada).
• Edmonton Opera: Regional professional opera company producing mainstage seasons in Edmonton with orchestra. Closely comparable to Manitoba Opera in scale, repertoire mix, subscription model, public-funder reliance, and education/community programming footprint.
• Calgary Opera: Regional professional opera company producing mainstage seasons in Calgary. Closely comparable to Manitoba Opera in business model, output cadence (multiple productions per season), and funding mix; sits at the western end of Manitoba Opera's 'no full-time opera company between' corridor.
• Pacific Opera Victoria: Regional professional opera company based in Victoria, BC, producing fully staged mainstage productions with orchestra. Comparable as a mid-sized Canadian regional opera company with similar subscription, sponsorship, and education programming models.
• Opera Hamilton: Regional professional opera company in Hamilton, Ontario, producing mainstage opera seasons. Comparable in scale, repertoire, and business model to Manitoba Opera, including reliance on public arts funders and corporate sponsorship.

Regional players

• Saskatoon Opera: Saskatchewan-based opera company serving the same broader prairie region as Manitoba Opera. Comparable as a regional Canadian opera producer, though smaller in scale and operating on a more limited production cadence.
• Minnesota Opera: Regional professional opera company in Minneapolis that serves a U.S. market immediately adjacent to Manitoba Opera's Dakotas territory. Comparable as a mid-sized professional opera company with similar mainstage production model, education programming, and mixed public/private funding structure.

Emerging players

• City Opera Vancouver: Smaller-scale Vancouver-based opera company with a focus on contemporary and Canadian works. Comparable as a Canadian professional opera producer with overlapping donor/funder ecosystems and artist overlap (City Opera Vancouver's current artistic director is also Manitoba Opera's incoming artistic director).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ManitobaOpera
• Facebookfacebook.com/manitobaopera
• Instagraminstagram.com/manitobaopera

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Manitoba Opera Association