Support the Music. Sustain the Magic.

For more than 65 years, Madison Opera has enriched our community with exceptional operatic experiences, from productions at the Overture Center to the beloved Opera in the Park. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, opera remains accessible, inspiring, and uniquely Madison.

Today, Madison Opera is proud to launch the Endowment Campaign, an important investment in the future of our company and the art form we serve.

We are in a moment of momentum. We have welcomed our largest audiences in years, produced a very successful world premiere opera, expanded our community programs, and are celebrating 25 years of Opera in the Park. The energy around Madison Opera has never been stronger.

At the same time, sustaining and growing this level of excellence requires long-term investment. Costs have risen sharply: production costs exceed $600,000 per opera, while the cost of Opera in the Park exceeds $300,000. Ticket revenue pays for less than 25% of the cost of putting on an opera, a statistic that is true worldwide, and every dollar of Opera in the Park’s expenses must be raised from generous supporters. At the same time, our community’s need for accessible, meaningful arts experiences is growing.

To meet that need and strengthen Madison Opera’s future, we are embarking on a campaign to grow our endowment. Distributions from our endowment currently fund 13% of our annual budget; our goal is to raise $4 million from this campaign, so that it can cover 20% of our budget.

Funds from our endowment support:
* Opera productions in the Overture Center for the Arts, from heritage works like La Bohème to modern works like María de Buenos Aires and less-performed works like Salome.
* Opera in the Park, our annual free concert of excerpts from opera and Broadway, performed every summer in Garner Park, featuring soloists, the Madison Opera Chorus, and the Madison Symphony Orchestra.
* Youth education programs, including the Student Matinee, High School Apprentice Program, and Production Assistant Program.
* Studio Artist Recitals and other musical performances in the community.
* Education programs, including Opera Up Close, Digital Previews, Opera Talk, and Community Previews.

Your support of our Endowment Campaign will empower us to strengthen these programs and develop new ones, while continuing our commitment to producing opera at the highest possible level. Madison Opera will become even more accessible, vibrant, and deeply connected to our community.

We invite you to be part of this next chapter by making a donation. Every contribution – at every level – builds a stronger foundation for the future of opera in Madison.

There are several ways you can be part of this campaign:
1. Outright gift: A one-time contribution made through cash, securities, or other assets.
2. Multi-year pledge: A commitment to make a gift over a specified period of time.
3. Charitable bequest: A future gift designated through a will, trust, or estate plan that supports Madison Opera beyond your lifetime.

To learn more about the Endowment Campaign or discuss ways to make a gift, call Madison Opera at 608-238-8085 or email any of the following staff members: Kathryn Smith, General Director, Beth Tolles, Director of Development, or Jake Barreau, Advancement Officer.

Thank you for believing in Madison Opera and helping ensure that our art form continues to inspire, connect, and uplift our community for decades to come.

Recognition Opportunities

All gifts to the Endowment qualify for donor benefits based on total annual giving to Madison Opera. These include parking at Madison Opera performances, invitations to rehearsals and parties, and more and can be found here.  All donors to the Endowment Campaign will be invited to a party to celebrate the successful conclusion of the campaign.

In addition, donors who give to the Endowment Campaign at the $5,000 level and above will be recognized on a newly-designed Pillar of Philanthropy in the Madison Opera Center’s Rehearsal Hall, showing permanent physical support of Madison Opera.

The Sempre Society

Madison Opera’s new Sempre Society recognizes donors who make commitments of $100,000 or more to the Endowment, whether through outright gifts or planned gifts. “Sempre” means “always” in Italian, and Sempre Society members show a deep commitment to making sure Madison Opera is always here for the next generation.

All Sempre Society members have the opportunity to create a named fund which will be listed as a sponsor of a production or program for five years upon realization of their gift to the Endowment.

Sempre Society members who give $500,000 or more to the Endowment have the opportunity to establish a permanent named endowment fund within the Madison Opera Foundation. The donor’s fund (for example, “The Jane and Joe Doe Family Fund”) will then be listed annually as a sponsor of a production or program, ensuring that the donor’s legacy continues in name as well as in deed.