OperaCréole

What OperaCréole does

OperaCréole is a nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 2011 and headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, dedicated to researching, transcribing, and performing lost or rarely performed operas by composers of African descent, with particular emphasis on 19th-century New Orleans free composers of color. The company's core products are full-scale opera productions (e.g., Edmond Dédé's Morgiane, Lucien Lambert's La Flamenca, William Grant Still's Minette Fontaine, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Thelma, and original works by Artistic Director Givonna Joseph), historically themed concerts and festivals (La Fête Créole, Concert Spirituel, Juneteenth celebrations), educational presentations for schools and universities, and private event performances. It also generates revenue through merchandise including CDs, books, branded items, and live recordings.

The business model combines ticket sales (ranging from free community events to $3,000 sponsorship packages), donations and fundraising (including a 15th Anniversary Capital Campaign with a $150,000 goal, monthly Patreon giving, and tiered sponsorship from $15 to $15,000), and merchandise sales (CDs at $25-$32, books at $14-$30, branded items). The company reaches audiences through live performances at venues across New Orleans (Marigny Opera House, St. Louis Cathedral, New Marigny Theater, The Broad Theater) and through national co-productions with Opera Lafayette and performances at the Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Historic Lincoln Theater. Distribution channels include Eventbrite ticketing, venue box offices, partner cultural institutions, and earned media coverage in major national outlets.

Founded by mother-daughter team Givonna Joseph and Aria Mason, OperaCréole is governed by a Board of Trustees and operates as an independent nonprofit supported by grants from foundations (Mboya K. Marsalis Fund, Ella West Freeman Foundation, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, JH Foundation, Nous Foundation), corporate sponsors, the French Consulate, and the New Orleans City Council. The organization has received national press recognition including features on CBS Saturday Morning, NBC Nightly News, CNN, BBC, The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, and NPR, and multiple regional and industry awards.

Name

OperaCréole

Legal name

OperaCréole

Website

https://www.operacreole.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OperaCréole is a New Orleans-based nonprofit opera company that researches and performs lost operas by 19th-century Black composers of color, serving general audiences, educational institutions, and cultural heritage organizations across six U.S. states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Opera

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

akta.pro primary industry

Opera & Operetta (MPAGABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Opera productions
• Performing arts
• Cultural heritage
• Educational presentations
• Music recordings

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from performances, concerts, galas, and special events. Ticket prices range from $15-$75 for general admission with VIP options and sponsorship packages up to $3,000.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The company operates a 15th Anniversary Capital Campaign with a goal of $150,000. Accepts donations through PayPal, Patreon monthly giving, and direct contributions. Offering levels range from $15 one-time gifts to $15,000 Director's Angel sponsorship.
3. Merchandise and Recordings: Sale of merchandise including CDs ($25-$32), books ($14-$30), champagne flutes ($30), car decals ($15), and limited items like the NOLA Music Legends Map Poster ($100).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

OperaCréole is a nonprofit opera company that produces, performs, and tours full-scale opera productions, historically themed concerts, and educational presentations focused on lost or rarely performed works by composers of African descent, especially 19th-century New Orleans free composers of color. The company sells tickets to live performances, books private and corporate events, and offers merchandise including recordings and books. Signature offerings include the four-state World Premiere of Edmond Dédé's "Morgiane" (1887) and the original opera "The Lions of Reconstruction."

Product overview

OperaCréole is a Black-led, mother-daughter founded opera company (established 2011) dedicated to researching and performing lost or rarely performed works by composers of African descent. The core offerings include full-scale opera productions (featuring works like Edmond Dédé's Morgiane, Les Lions de la Reconstruction, La Flamenca, Minette Fontaine, Thelma), historically themed concerts (La Fête Créole festival, Concert Spirituel), educational presentations, and private event performances. The company also generates revenue through merchandise including recordings (CDs), books, and branded items. The 2025-2026 season marks the company's 15th Anniversary.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Opera Productions
• Concerts and Festivals

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully produced the World Premiere of Edmond Dédé's 'Morgiane' (1887) across four states - New Orleans, Washington D.C., New York, and Maryland
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• The Whitney PlantationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSlavery museum partner hosting OperaCréole performances including the 10th Anniversary Gala. Connection to historical narratives about enslaved people and resistance.
• Opera LafayetteflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWashington, D.C.-based opera company and primary co-production partner for the four-state World Premiere of Edmond Dédé's 'Morgiane.' Partnership includes performances at the Kennedy Center, panel discussions at Stanford In Washington, and ongoing artistic collaboration with conductor Patrick Quigley.
• The Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution partner for Concert Spirituel performances, Spanish New Orleans exhibit programming, manuscript exhibits featuring Edmond Dédé's work, and panel discussions. Hosts educational programming and community events.
• Louisiana Philharmonic OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with OperaCréole for Concert Spirituel performances and opera productions. Joint performances at St. Louis Cathedral and other venues featuring orchestral accompaniment.
• The Folger Shakespeare LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted panel discussions and manuscript exhibits for Edmond Dédé's Morgiane during the 2024-2025 season.
• The Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWashington D.C.-based partner organization. Co-production and panel discussion collaboration including outreach at the CAAPA Cultural Center during the Morgiane tour.
• Jazz at Lincoln CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious performance venue hosting Morgiane opera productions as part of the national tour. High-profile venue for reaching national audiences.
• Marigny Opera HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary New Orleans performance venue for La Fête Créole and other productions. Located at 725 St Ferdinand St in New Orleans.
• Opera EbonyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 2024-2025 season programming and collaboration.
• The French Consulate of New OrleanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench diplomatic partnership supporting French cultural programming and collaboration. Featured in Chevalier events celebrating Joseph Bologne, Le Chevalier de Saint Georges.
• MS Rau AntiquesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Orleans cultural institution hosting panel discussions on the art of Edmond Dédé.
• Xavier University of LouisianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHBCU partner hosting CD release celebration for Edmond Dédé's Morgiane. Collaboration includes panel discussions with university scholars and community engagement.
• New Orleans Jazz and Heritage FestivalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual performance opportunity at one of the world's largest jazz festivals, reaching diverse audiences of music enthusiasts.
• Amistad Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research institution and cultural partner for Conversations In Color programming and historical research collaboration.
• The Creole Heritage CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization dedicated to preserving Creole heritage and culture, presenting OperaCréole performances.
• New Orleans Opera AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional opera industry partner; OperaCréole artists appear in New Orleans Opera productions; collaborative relationship in the local opera community.
• Arts Council of New OrleansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal arts funding and advocacy organization that has recognized OperaCréole with Community Arts Awards.
• French Quarter FestivalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual French Quarter cultural festival featuring OperaCréole performances as part of New Orleans' premier cultural celebrations.
• Lyrica BaroqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaroque music organization that honored OperaCréole founders at their 10th anniversary Lyrical Affair celebration.
• Longue Vue House and GardensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric estate venue hosting OperaCréole performances including the Tennessee Williams Festival and educational symposiums.
• Berea CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for CD and book release of 'Songs of Slavery and Emancipation' featuring OperaCréole founder Givonna Joseph.
• New Orleans Jazz MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution hosting OperaCréole at the Old U.S. Mint for annual galas and Improvisations Gala events.
• WWOZ RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal public radio station supporting OperaCréole through media coverage and promotion.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Opera Ebony: Historic Black-led opera company founded in 1973, dedicated to performing works featuring Black composers and singers. OperaCréole lists Opera Ebony as a 2024-2025 season partner, reflecting near-direct overlap in mission and audience.
• Opera Lafayette: Washington, D.C.-based period-instrument opera company and OperaCréole's flagship co-production partner for the four-state World Premiere of Edmond Dédé's Morgiane. Highly comparable as a small, artistically driven opera company producing rare and historical repertoire.
• New Orleans Opera Association: Regional opera company sharing the New Orleans market with OperaCréole; collaborative talent pipeline (OperaCréole artists appear in NOOA productions). Comparable as a New Orleans-based opera presenter with overlapping audiences and venue partnerships.
• Harlem Opera Theater: Black-led New York-based opera company focused on presenting operas featuring Black artists and composers. Highly comparable mission and target audience to OperaCréole, operating at similar small-nonprofit scale.

Regional players

• Lyrica Baroque: New Orleans-based early music and baroque performance organization that honored OperaCréole's founders at its 10th anniversary Lyrical Affair. Comparable as a small regional period-music nonprofit with similar audience and donor base.

Emerging players

• On Site Opera: New York-based company producing operas in non-traditional venues, focused on intimate and innovative stagings. Comparable as a small, artistically experimental opera company exploring repertoire beyond the standard canon.
• Beth Morrison Projects: New York-based producer specializing in commissioning and developing new opera and music-theater works. Comparable to OperaCréole's creative/IP-generation work around Givonna Joseph's original compositions.

Broad incumbents

• New York City Opera: Historic larger-scale American opera company known as "the people's opera," with a mission-driven programming philosophy including works by underrepresented composers. Comparable as a U.S. opera company with social-impact orientation, though at substantially greater scale.
• Fort Worth Opera: Regional opera company known for its diverse programming and commitment to new American works and underrepresented composers. Comparable as a regional American opera company investing in DEI-focused repertoire, though with substantially greater production scale.

Others

• Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA): Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing African American participation in the performing arts; listed as a Core partner of OperaCréole for the Morgiane tour. Comparable as a mission-aligned ecosystem organization supporting Black representation in classical performance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/operacreole
• Instagraminstagram.com/operacreole

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 OperaCréole