I:OPERA

Hello to our community. It's been a while, a lot has happened. We're holding a space for colleagues to check-in next Thursday 17 November from 10-11am. Sign-up via our website: iopera.org/connect #ChooseOpera

Thank you for your support over the last 4 years!

We will continue to work for a fairer, kinder, more equitable sector; to challenge accepted hierarchies, highlight barriers and seek to include myriad voices and experiences. Please take a look at @FreelancersMake and sign up to their mailing list to keep receiving information.

I:Opera is changing... I:Opera came about during the pandemic when a group of freelance Opera Makers hungry to make change in their arena came together. We gathered, we discussed and we focussed our work in certain areas: kindness & dignity, sustainability and anti-racism.

🚨 The BIG FREELANCER SURVEY 2024 is open! 🚨 Take the survey now here: linktr.ee/BigFreelancerS… Over 11,000 arts freelancers have filled in The Big Freelancer Survey in the last four years. The ONLY survey conducted BY freelancers FOR freelancers. #BIGFreelancerSurvey

Whilst we'd love to include everyone, at this stage we are just looking for people with direct experience in this area. Later this year we plan to hold some events for those who are curious to learn more, so watch this space! . . .

Are you a freelance opera maker with experience in using the Theatre GreenBook, or who creates work about sustainability and the climate crisis? If so, we'd love to hear from you! #theatregreenbook #sustainability #climatecrisis

I know it’s not cool to talk about this, but I’m having a lot of projects cancelled last minute because of budget. This energy crisis will probably go on for a few years, and opportunities to create will be even more scarce. Feeling quite lost with it atm tbh.

More thoughts to throw into the ring... 1) last minute auditions should be unusual, at the moment they feel like the norm 2) yes, casting often - understandably - takes more than two weeks. But surely the courtesy of communication is achievable?

@Panaretos_piano @TheOperaMakers Thank you!!

Auditions: an open letter from singers in the I:OPERA community. 'The current lack of recruitment policy and due process is damaging to performers, undermining and devaluing the important role we play in this industry.' iopera.org/blog/auditions…

@Panaretos_piano @TheOperaMakers Ah, we have found it! Really great to see people talking about it and we will try and make sure it reaches the ears that need to hear it...

@Panaretos_piano @TheOperaMakers Thank you so much! Is there any way we could see the discussion please - we'd love to hear people's thoughts 😊

Thank you so much to everyone who has shared our Open Letter - please keep doing the good work! We will be writing to opera companies over the coming weeks with an invitation to discuss how this can be turned into meaningful action 🤞

@cbjmezzo So true Claire!

This ⬇️ But also how financially restrictive having audition and competition entries where you need professional videos every 6months, with specific criteria for each one. More understandable in the middle of pandemic, but please hear singers in person #equity

@elirolfejohnson Thanks for sharing Eli x

@SofiaLivotov An excellent point - thanks for sharing Sofia!

@elbroomfield Thanks for sharing!

Let’s keep sharing and striving for industry change!