Keep Opera in the Park Free for All

Goal: $19,000 | Benefiting: 5,000+ audience members & 80+ local artists

OPERA IN THE PARK Portland

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 2003

BREAKING NEWS: Your donation will be doubled!

Thanks to a generous pledge from an anonymous donor, all donations until July 27, 2025 will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000, doubling your impact and bringing us twice as close to our goal.

Opera is for Everyone

For over 20 years, OPERA IN THE PARK Portland has brought the power and beauty of live opera to the heart of our city—free and open to all. Run by a passionate, women-led volunteer team, we remain the only organization in the region offering grand opera at no cost to the public.

But we need your help.

Though the concerts are free, it takes nearly $100,000 to produce each one—covering musician fees, permits, staging, sound, safety, scores, and more. It’s a massive effort made possible by year-round community support, grants, and sponsorships.

This Year’s Celebration: Carmen in the Park

On Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM, we return to Peninsula Park with Georges Bizet’s Carmen to celebrate its 150th anniversary in grand style.

This free concert will feature:

A live union orchestra of local professional musicians

Flamenco dancers and students from Espacio Flamenco

A cast of world-class visiting soloists:

A full chorus and renowned regional soloists

️Local food vendors offering fare, drinks, and dessert

Thousands of Portlanders gathered for an unforgettable night

Why We Need You

To bring Carmen to life, we need to raise an additional $19,000 by July 27. These funds go directly to our professional union orchestra —musicians who live and work right here in our community.

This year is especially critical. For the first time in our 22-year history, we are fully self-producing the concert. Like so many arts organizations, we’ve been affected by major funding losses in 2025. Now, we’re turning to you, our community, to help carry this beloved tradition forward.

Last year’s performance drew over 5,000 attendees, far beyond the capacity of any indoor venue, and generated more than $620,000 in local economic activity. This isn’t just opera—it’s a public celebration of art, culture, and community.

✨ Double Your Impact

Thanks to a $10,000 matching gift, every donation through July 30 goes twice as far:

$50 becomes $100

$250 becomes $500

Every gift brings us closer to opening night

“Our community has made it clear that these performances matter,” says Board President Jocelyn Bates-O’Brien. “We’re proud to celebrate 150 years of Carmen with a phenomenal cast and an evening of unforgettable artistry in the park.”

Help Us Reach $19,000

Together, we can give Portland a magical night of free, live opera that lives on in hearts and memories for years to come.

Donate today. Share the music. Feel the magic. Thank you.

— With gratitude,

The OPERA IN THE PARK Portland Team