Opera

UM Opera Theatre trains future singing actors through comprehensive stagecraft and interpretation, producing acclaimed performances.

A performer during The Light in the Piazza wraps his arms around the head of another performer sitting in a chair as he raises his hand up with a shocked look on his face — The Light in the Piazza performed by UM Opera Theatre.

2021 Opera Season

About UM Opera Theatre

The University of Mississippi Opera Theatre provides comprehensive training for the next generation of singing actors. Performers receive developmental training in movement, interpretation, stagecraft, audition preparation, and learn how to work with conductors, coaches, directors, and colleagues to prepare for careers on the stage.

Productions

UM Opera Theatre produces quality, award-winning productions of operas, operettas, and musicals in many languages and styles, spanning the Baroque to contemporary, and includes well-loved classics and new works alike, e.g., The Light in the Piazza, Albert Herring, L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, La finta giardiniera, L’elisir d’amore, and several works by Gilbert & Sullivan.

Collaborations

UM Opera Theatre is strongly committed to collaborations with contemporary opera composers, having premiered the chamber orchestration of Linda Lister’s State of Grace (2018) to great acclaim, and enjoys regular partnerships within the Oxford community and beyond.

Current Season | 2024-2025

Information for the upcoming season will be updated soon.

Auditions

Current UM Music students

Auditions for the 2023-24 season will be announced Summer 2023. Contact Dr. Bunt at bebunt@olemiss.edu for more details.

Prospective students

All voice students must audition to enter the University of Mississippi Department of Music – whether undergraduate or graduate, a music major or minor.

Your voice audition will satisfy audition requirements for UM Opera Theatre, UM Choirs, and the UM Music Department Vocal Area – all with one submission.

Auditions/Apply

Meet the Opera Faculty

Our faculty is comprised of professionals committed to creating outstanding opera performers through teaching in vocal performance and stagecraft.

Bonita Bunt

Assistant Professor of Music/Director of Opera

Amanda Johnston

Professor of Music

Graduate Assistantships

Opera graduate assistants are graduate students in vocal performance who are preparing for a professional career in opera and singing. In their roles as GAs, they work with faculty to help manage the company. Combined with their coursework and performance schedule, their experience as GAs gives them additional skills and insight into the logistics of performance.

More information on graduate assistantships can be found on our Graduate Programs apge.

Graduate Programs