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Indianapolis Opera lands $1M gift to support general director role

September 2, 2026

The gift from Tom Reilly and Bonnie Reilly ranks as the first seven-figure donation in the Indianapolis Opera’s 53-year history.

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Indianapolis Opera perseveres to reach 50th anniversary

March 21, 2025

Dave Lindquist

On March 22, Indianapolis Opera will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a gala at Hilbert Circle Theatre. The event will feature the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra accompanying a roster of high-profile singers from the opera’s past and present.

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Opera converges with jazz in ‘Yardbird’ production

February 29, 2024 |

Dave Lindquist

In his 34 years, Charlie Parker lived life on an operatic scale. The saxophone player from Kansas City reinvented an art form by bringing bebop to center stage, but behind the scenes Parker grappled with addiction and temptation. Parker’s life is portrayed in the opera “Charlie Parker’s Yardbird,” which is set to make its Indianapolis […]

Indianapolis Opera takes shows on the road after buying its headquarters

November 5, 2021 |

Dave Lindquist

Crews are spiffing up the grounds at the Basile Opera Center, the latest move in a rebirth of sorts for the opera company, which in August purchased the former church at 4011 N. Pennsylvania St. it’s been leasing for 10 years.

UPDATE: Indianapolis Opera leader bows out after less than two years

December 7, 2016

Kevin Patterson has stepped down at mid-season as general director of the struggling Indianapolis Opera and has quickly been replaced with a new leader.

Vonnegut-penned work to lead Indy Opera’s new season

January 28, 2016

The Indianapolis Opera will kick off its 2016-17 season with the world premiere adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s play “Happy Birthday, Wanda June” with music by Richard Auldon Clark of Butler University.

LOU’S VIEWS: We interrupt this program…

August 27, 2015

Indianapolis Opera does away with printed guides; what is gained, and what’s lost?

Sidelined Indianapolis Opera hires new leader

February 9, 2015

The troubled Indianapolis Opera—which hasn’t produced a show since March 2014—has hired Kevin Patterson as its new leader.

Indianapolis Opera hires Stolen to help assess future

August 9, 2014

Steven Stolen, a former managing director of the Indiana Repertory Theatre, will work as an independent contractor for 25-30 hours per week until the target Oct. 1 completion of the evaluation.

Longtime Indianapolis Opera director resigns

April 30, 2014

Artistic Director James Caraher has tendered his resignation after 33 years with the Indianapolis Opera, the general manager of the struggling arts organization said Wednesday afternoon.

UPDATE: Opera confirms cancellation, ‘challenges’

March 26, 2014

Confirming an earlier IBJ report, Indianapolis Opera officials said they didn’t want to risk the possible financial strain of a fourth and final production of the season.

Indy Opera planning to cut final show, sources say

March 25, 2014

The Indianapolis Opera plans to cancel the fourth and final show of its season amid ongoing financial issues, multiple sources close to the organization said Tuesday morning.

LOU’S VIEWS: On Matisse and Macheath

October 17, 2013

The IMA offers a brilliantly colored blockbuster while the opera presents a shark with no teeth

IRT’s Stolen to exit in swell of arts group departures

May 30, 2013

Managing Director Steven Stolen will leave the repertory theater for a position with Rocketship Education. Other local performing arts executives stepping down are John Pickett of the Indianapolis Opera and Kirk Trevor of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra.

LOU’S VIEWS: In Indy Opera’s ‘Flying Dutchman,’ strong voices almost drowned by overdone visuals

May 16, 2013

Season closer tackled Wagner’s large-scale seafaring tale. Plus, thoughts on ‘4000 Miles’ at the Phoenix Theatre.

LOU’S VIEWS: Barging in

February 28, 2013

IU fills a spot in Indianapolis Opera’s schedule with Philip Glass’ challenging “Akhnaten.”

A&E SEASON PREVIEW: Talking Points

August 28, 2012

What will be on the minds of A&E patrons and producers this season?

Indianapolis Opera stays afloat as peer companies call it quits

June 21, 2012

Next season will start later and feature a money-saving collaboration with Indiana University.

LOU’S VIEWS: Special Oed

May 10, 2012

Thoughts on ‘Oedipus Rex’ on the grounds of the IMA, Indianapolis Opera’s excellent ‘Faust,’ and more.

LOU’S VIEWS: Indianapolis Opera production takes wing

November 10, 2011

Unfamiliarity breeds appreciation at intimate double bill: “A Water Bird Talk” and “Bon Appetit!” paired at Basile Opera Center.

LOU’S VIEWS: Productions, written 100 years apart, explore teen sex

September 29, 2011

Thoughts on the Phoenix Theatre’s “Spring Awakening” and Indianapolis Opera’s “Madama Butterfly.”

LOU’S VIEWS: Indy Opera’s ‘Carmen’ shows upside of downsizing

March 17, 2011

When word went out that one of the three Indianapolis Opera presentations this season would be a production of “Carmen,” sans chorus, sans full orchestra, sans biggie-size sets, and sans Clowes Hall stage, it was perfectly understandable that some patrons may have lowered their expectations.

SEPT. 4-10, 2026

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Q&A: ‘Musical mayor’ Rob Dixon revisits Indianapolis jazz history

Dave Lindquist

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