Marketing Opera

After the collapse of Baltimore Opera last year, the opera community wasted little time in mourning. Almost immediately, a handful of new groups, some founded by young singers themselves, came up with creative ways to keep opera alive in Charm City. These groups have brought fresh ideas and a new passion to the city's arts scene.

Recently, Brendan Cooke, Founder and General Manager of one of these groups, Baltimore Concert Opera, spoke at Ignite Baltimore. The setting itself is unique: each speaker gets 5 minutes and 20 slides (which change automatically) to make his or her point. We find Brendan's enthusiasm inspiring, and he articulates a very valid question: How can we better spread the word about this art form that we love? If the era of the big donor is over, can opera companies survive and thrive with a broad network of committed and engaged fans? And, if so, how do we create it? Below is his five-minute presentation.