Our Mission To entertain, educate and inspire the people of Memphis and the Mid-South through the art of opera. Our Vision To be a nationally recognized model of artistic integrity, musical excellence and community involvement. Our Values We follow three basic tenets, designed to be simple and applicable to all of our work. They are: Respect the Music Opera is a union of words and music, but in this instance, the music gets pride of place. Great singers, great conductors, and a great orchestra are the prerequisites for a truly transcendent artistic experience. Every resource we have will be aimed towards ensuring the highest possible musical standards. Respect the Story While the music defines an opera, its raw material is plot and character. We believe there is an inherent value in a community coming together to experience stories that show them their connection to the audience around them, to the creators of the piece, and to the shared experience and history of humankind. Clarity of storytelling will be the bedrock of every production. Respect the Audience Of our three tenets, this is the most vital. Without an audience, there is no opera. They are the keystone of every performance. We believe that the experience of the audience is the only true barometer of success. Furthermore, we believe that opera is an art form that is accessible to ALL audiences, and that part of showing respect is a commitment to finding ways to provide exposure and access.