What Opera Birmingham does

Opera Birmingham is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization and Alabama's largest professional opera company, operating continuously since its founding in 1955 as the Birmingham Civic Opera and rebranded to its current name in 1996. The company produces a portfolio of live performance and educational programming, including mainstage opera productions (such as the April 2026 double bill of Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci), the annual Sounds of the Season holiday concert, the children's opera The Three Little Pigs, the Opera Birmingham Chorus and Children's Chorus, and Opera Shots pop-up concerts. Educational outreach is delivered through the Sing & Play! program, which brings opera into K-6 classrooms, and through the Freeman Studio Artists program and the newly launched Opera Birmingham Studio at Samford University, a two-year graduate vocal performance partnership offering full tuition plus an annual stipend of up to $2,000 to up to four Studio Artists per year.

The company does not operate proprietary technology; its technical stack consists of standard third-party tools, including NeonCRM for donation processing and the Arts People platform for ticketing and gift card sales. Performances are staged at partner venues, principally Brock Hall at Samford University and the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, with additional community locations. The customer base comprises general audiences, families with children, philanthropic patrons across multiple giving tiers (Opera Club Circle at $75+, Impresario Circle at $1,500+, Angel/Founders Circle at $15,000+), emerging opera artists in the Studio program, and audiences with disabilities served through accessibility services (ASL interpretation, audio description, open captioning, assistive listening).

Opera Birmingham's revenue model is donor-driven: the Annual Fund contributes over 80% of annual operating revenues, with ticket sales accounting for the remainder. Additional revenue streams include planned giving through the Bel Canto Society, corporate and foundation grants (Alabama Power Foundation, Daniel Foundation of Alabama, Hugh Kaul Foundation, Alabama State Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama), and the Opera Birmingham Endowment Fund managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by President Matthew Penfield, with Natalie Bergeron appointed as the new Executive & Artistic Director effective August 1, 2025. The company operates from its headquarters at 3600 7th Court South, Birmingham, Alabama, serving the Birmingham metropolitan area.

Name

Opera Birmingham

Legal name

Opera Birmingham

Website

https://operabirmingham.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Opera Birmingham is Alabama's largest professional opera company and 501(c)(3) nonprofit, producing mainstage opera, holiday concerts, children's programming, and education outreach for Birmingham-area audiences, with revenue funded primarily through annual donations and ticket sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Opera Productions

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB), Performing Arts Programs (Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater) (EDAJAJAE)

Keywords

• Professional opera productions
• Nonprofit performing arts
• Live opera performances
• Arts education programs
• Opera chorus programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

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

Revenue model

1. Annual Fund Donations: The annual fund provides over 80% of the Company's annual operating revenues, while ticket sales account for the remainder of income each season. This is the primary revenue stream for the nonprofit opera company.
2. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for mainstage productions, holiday concerts, and other performances. Tickets available online through app.arts-people.com and by phone.
3. Planned Giving (Bel Canto Society): Deferred gifts through wills, trusts, retirement plans, and life insurance provide long-term funding support and legacy giving opportunities.
4. Opera Club Circle Membership: Annual membership starting at $75, providing behind-the-scenes access, special previews, and events for donors.
5. Impresario Circle Membership: Leadership giving starting at $1,500 with exclusive opportunities to meet artists, intermission receptions, and season program recognition.
6. Angel and Founder's Circle: Leadership donors of $15,000 and up forming the foundation of Opera Birmingham, ensuring the music will endure.
7. Endowment Fund: The Opera Birmingham Endowment Fund, created by a generous bequest from Ora Lee and J. Ernest Hill, is held and managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. Provides lasting funding for productions each season.
8. Corporate/Foundation Grants: Grants from organizations including Alabama Power Foundation, Alabama State Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, The Daniel Foundation of Alabama, and Hugh Kaul Foundation support productions and operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Opera Birmingham produces and presents live professional opera productions, seasonal concerts (such as Sounds of the Season), children's operas (such as The Three Little Pigs), chorus performances, and community events for audiences in the Birmingham, Alabama metropolitan area. The company also operates educational outreach (Sing & Play!) for K-6 students and professional training programs (Freeman Studio Artists, Opera Birmingham Studio at Samford University) for emerging opera singers, with tickets sold online and at the box office and performances staged at partner venues.

Product overview

Opera Birmingham is Alabama's largest professional opera company offering a portfolio of live performance products and educational programs. Core offerings include mainstage opera productions (full-scale professional operas with principals, chorus, and orchestra), seasonal concerts (Sounds of the Season holiday program), and children's opera (The Three Little Pigs). Supporting programs include the Freeman Studio Artists Program and Opera Birmingham Studio at Samford University (a two-year graduate training partnership), Sing & Play! Opera Education outreach, Opera Birmingham Chorus and Children's Chorus, Opera Shots pop-up concerts, and the Bel Canto Society planned giving program. The company generates revenue through ticket sales and an Annual Fund campaign providing over 80% of operating revenues, supported by integrations with NeonCRM for donations and Arts People for ticketing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mainstage Opera Productions Full-scale professional opera productions featuring principal artists, chorus, and orchestra, including both classic repertoire and contemporary works. Performances are staged at venues such as the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater at Alabama School of Fine Arts and are aimed at adult opera audiences in the Birmingham metro area.
• Sounds of the Season Annual holiday concert featuring the Opera Birmingham Chorus and Children's Chorus, Freeman Studio Artists, and guest performers in beloved carols, festive favorites, and classical holiday music. Tickets start at $35 for adults and $15 for children/students; student tickets are supported by The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.
• The Three Little Pigs A 40-minute one-act children's opera featuring Mozart's music with adaptation by John Davies, introducing young audiences to opera through the classic fairy tale. Targeted at families and elementary-school-age children.
• Sing & Play! Opera Education Educational outreach program bringing opera into Birmingham-area classrooms through teaching artist visits led by Emily Scott, covering music, movement, and games for Kindergarten through 6th grade students.
• Opera Birmingham Chorus
• Opera Birmingham Children's Chorus
• Opera Shots
• Opera Birmingham Studio at Samford University Two-year graduate training program in partnership with Samford University School of the Arts, enabling selected singers to enroll in Samford's graduate vocal performance degree while receiving professional performance opportunities throughout Opera Birmingham's season. Up to four Studio Artists are accepted annually, receiving full tuition plus an annual stipend of up to $2,000.
• Freeman Studio Artists Program
• Vocal Competition
• Annual Fund
• Bel Canto Society
• Accessibility Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Produced over 50 different operas since 1955
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Samford University School of the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Opera Birmingham Studio at Samford University - a two-year program where singers enroll in Samford's graduate vocal performance degree while receiving professional performance opportunities with Opera Birmingham. Up to four Studio Artists chosen annually for full tuition plus $2,000 stipend. Performances held at Brock Hall and facilities.
• Alabama Power FoundationcoreOthersMajor funding supporter of Opera Birmingham productions and operations through grants.
• Alabama State Council on the ArtscoreOthersGovernment arts agency providing grants that support Opera Birmingham's season and productions.
• The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of AlabamacoreOthersProvides student ticket support for Opera Birmingham performances, making opera accessible to young people.
• The Daniel Foundation of AlabamacoreOthersFoundation providing grants that support Opera Birmingham's productions and operations.
• National Endowment for the ArtscoreOthersFederal arts agency providing grants that support Opera Birmingham's season.
• Steinway Piano Gallery BirminghamcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Piano Sponsor of Opera Birmingham; provides piano support for performances.
• Community Foundation of Greater BirminghamcoreOthersHolds and manages the Opera Birmingham Endowment Fund, created by a bequest from Ora Lee and J. Ernest Hill. Currently manages charitable assets in excess of $125 million for community benefit.
• Alabama School of Fine ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership venue for Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci performances at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater.
• Opera AmericaminorOthersOpera Birmingham is a member of Opera America, the national association for opera companies.
• Alabama Media GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Media Sponsor of Opera Birmingham, providing media coverage and promotion.
• Hugh Kaul FoundationcoreOthersFoundation providing grants that support Opera Birmingham's season.
• Medical Properties TrustminorOthersCorporate sponsor supporting Opera Birmingham.
• Michael J. and Mary Anne FreemancoreOthersMajor donors generously sponsoring Freeman Studio Artists program and ASL Interpreters for the 2025-2026 season.
• Birmingham Music ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional arts organization with which Opera Birmingham collaborates on productions and events.
• Mobile OperaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional opera company with which Opera Birmingham collaborates on productions and shares resources.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OperaBham

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Opera Birmingham