Maryland Opera to Launch Call for Scores for New Voices in Opera Initiative
The Baltimore-based initiative, led by artistic director James Harp, spotlights works by Latiné/Hispanic composers and librettists.
Maryland Opera celebrates opera and is committed to bringing the beauty and excitement of live opera to audiences throughout the state of Maryland. New Voices in Opera offers a semi- or a fully-staged performance of new opera that would benefit from an additional production. The goal of the New Voices in Opera initiative is to highlight outstanding new works that give voice to underserved communities.
New Voices in Opera debuted as part of the 2025-2026 season and featured works by Black creators. The 2027 cycle, set to be performed in February 2027, will feature works by Latiné/Hispanic Creatives as defined by OPERA America in their IDEA Grants – includes those who identify with nationalities or ethnic groups originating in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central and South America, and other Latin nations.
Selected operas will receive a production with Maryland Opera on February 27, 2027. Composers and librettists will have the opportunity to work with Maryland Opera's assembled creative team and Baltimore/Washington, DC DMV based artists and artisans in the creation of the new production.
The 2026 New Voices in Opera production presented Oshun by B.E. Boykin and Kandake by Timothy Amukele, both with a libretto by Jarrod Lee and received a sold-out performance. Information about this production can be found at www.marylandopera.org/2026newvoices and video excerpts can be seen on Maryland Opera's YouTube channel.
Those wishing to submit materials for consideration should visit www.marylandopera.org/callforscores and fill out the application. Guidelines are outlined there and questions can be directed to Maryland Opera's Director of New Voices Jarrod Lee at jarrod.lee@marylandopera.org.
Materials will be accepted for consideration June 1 through July 3, 2026. All applications and materials must be submitted by 5pm EDT on Friday, July 3. Final selections will be made in the second half of July 2026. Applicants will be notified of decisions by August 3, 2026.
ABOUT MARYLAND OPERA
Maryland Opera offers quality opera performances, innovative artistry, support for social awareness and change, education and outreach programming, commitment to underserved communities, and a vehicle for talented young vocalists to follow their dreams. Maryland Opera builds on Baltimore's century-old opera tradition that garnered critical acclaim for grand productions that featured opera's greatest celebrities.
Maryland Opera is passionately invested in bringing the excitement and beauty of live opera–traditional programming as well as innovative and modern approaches–to diverse audiences, including historically underserved audiences throughout Maryland. They do so through numerous outreach programs, including Opera-to-Go, Opera Cares and Opera Camp.
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