Temple University announced on Apr. 6 a new partnership with Opera Philadelphia aimed at expanding the reach of innovative operas and providing students with hands-on experience in arts entrepreneurship. The agreement includes plans to produce and release new opera recordings through BCM&D Records, Temple’s Boyer College of Music and Dance label, which has received five Grammy nominations.
The collaboration is expected to benefit both organizations by offering Temple students practical experience in non-profit management, entrepreneurial models, arts marketing, and administration. Students from the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts will participate in creating storytelling content to boost audience engagement for Opera Philadelphia. Visiting artists from the company will also work directly with students to share insights into the professional creative process.
“We are delighted to partner with Opera Philadelphia as they are a renowned American opera company and a prime example of what a modern opera should aspire to be,” said Temple President John Fry. “Our Voice and Opera students as well as the entire Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts will benefit from this new partnership, which also aligns closely with the priorities of Temple’s recently released strategic plan, Forward with Purpose. Through partnerships like this one, we are creating a connected educational and cultural landscape in Center City, which benefits not just the Temple and Opera Philadelphia communities but the City of Philadelphia as a whole.”
Anthony Roth Costanzo, General Director & President of Opera Philadelphia said: “The visionary way Temple approaches creating opportunities for their students represents the forward-facing, multi-disciplinary training that leads to real success. I see so many points of intersection with our ‘Opera, but different’ way of doing things. This partnership generates synergies that support students and artists alike, and simultaneously can build new audiences for the arts—by providing students real-world opportunities to engage with the creative process and learn alongside some of today’s most innovative performers and creators at a crucial stage of their education.”
Recent collaborations between Temple University’s Boyer College label BCM&D Records and Opera Philadelphia include recording February’s world premiere performance of ‘Complications in Sue,’ featuring music by ten composers alongside playwright Michael R. Jackson’s libretto debut. Another project planned is an April recording session for ‘Sleepers Awake,’ composed by Gregory Spears at Academy of Music.
Opera Philadelphia was established in 1975; it has been described as “the very model of a modern opera company” by The Washington Post.
Robert Stroker, vice provost for the arts at Temple University said: “Our students will benefit tremendously from the unique experiences provided by this partnership with Opera Philadelphia… This opens up new possibilities and provides key engagements with a groundbreaking opera company.”
In addition to this announcement, recent initiatives underscore Temple University’s commitment to strengthening its presence within local arts communities through acquisitions such as Terra Hall—a former academic building now home to Boyer College—and partnerships involving The Philadelphia Orchestra & Ensemble Arts as well as PAFA (Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts). Moving forward both institutions plan continued exploration into further collaborative projects.
