About OCB

Mission

• To provide up-and-coming singers, pianists, and conductors the opportunity to perform the standard operatic repertoire, new works and rarely performed operas, while perfecting performance techniques in preparation for major careers in opera
• To provide affordable opera programming to New York City communities and audiences, making opera a viable and thriving arts and entertainment resource accessible to a very broad audience
• To present opera in new and unconventional venues, thus providing an intimate experience for both performers and patrons
• To introduce and educate new audiences about opera, especially children and young professionals in an effort to develop the opera-going public of tomorrow

OCB Background

The Opera Company of Brooklyn (OCB), founded in 2000 by conductor Jay Meetze and General Manager Charles Harburn, was created to promote talented young artists, while providing affordable and accessible opera to New York City communities. Known for nurturing the burgeoning careers of young singers, conductors, and pianists, OCB’s past performers include Aubrey Allicock, Marnie Breckenridge, Cherry Duke, Luke Grooms, Candice Hoyes, Kenneth Overton, Darren K. Stokes, and John Zuckerman, all who have gone onto thriving national and international opera careers.

OCB seeks to bring opera to the mainstream public and out of its large and traditionally formal institution. Past venues have included penthouses, art galleries, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, churches, Bargemusic, and the Northside Piers parking garage. The smaller, intimate settings provide the audience with close proximity to the singers, conductor, and musicians thereby, creating an engaging experience for all. The OCB BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage) series creates a social atmosphere, allowing the audience and performers to interact during intermissions and after performances.

The OCB Resident Artist Program (RAP) is a thriving educational program, in which artists learn roles, become familiar with the process of putting on a professional quality performance, and develop valuable onstage skills. A combination of master classes and preparation of various roles during the OCB performance season provides RAP artists with a wide range of training in a supportive environment. It is an excellent opportunity for artists making a transition into a full-time performing career.

Our innovative and small opera company consists of dedicated unpaid staff, volunteers, and interns working from across the U.S.. Our hard work yields results equal to large-budget opera houses, especially in the media. OCB has been featured on the Jeopardy quiz show, Good Morning America, and CNN. Other favorable coverage includes numerous reports on radio: National Public Radio’s Day to Day, American Public Media’s Marketplace, 1010WINS, WNYC’s Overnight Music and Soundcheck, and reviews and articles in: Wall Street Journal, NY Times, NY Daily and NY Post newspapers, NY Magazine, American Record Guide, Opera News Magazine and Crain’s New York Business. Metropolitan Opera’s “Opera News” magazine named the OCB CD, featuring music by American composer, Thomas Pasatieri “BEST OF THE YEAR”.