Opera Athena (f. 2021) is a Twin Cities-based arts organization whose mission is to champion the stories and talents of female-identifying, LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented voices. We do this by cultivating and presenting new operatic and vocal works that prioritize compelling storytelling, excellence in singing, and radical accessibility. Our programming centers on personal journeys told through a feminist lens and aims to redefine opera’s relevance for modern audiences.
Opera Athena began offering arts programming in 2021 and has actively engaged Minnesotans in performances, commissions, and collaborative works since. Our projects span chamber opera, art song, and new musical works that blur traditional genre lines. We regularly present in the Twin Cities metro and are expanding our reach throughout Greater Minnesota. Typical audiences include classical music lovers in the Twin Cities, emerging artists, and rural Minnesotans with limited access to live opera.
Recent highlights include a trans-Atlantic song commission project through the DAAD-Stiftung, the world premiere of The Miller’s Daughter (in partnership with Iowa State University), and upcoming Greater Minnesota productions:
- June 2025: Green Thumbed, a new chamber opera about gardening, in Albert Lea, MN. In partnership with Really Spicy Opera.
- September 2025:The Miller’s Daughter in Northfield, MN.
These performances reflect our commitment to making high-quality opera accessible to all Minnesotans, not just those in urban centers.
