History

Founded in 1998 by conductor Daniel Kleinknecht, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre presents two to three operas each season as well as other opera-related events and programs. International artists as well as American artists are featured in the productions. Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre has presented standard repertoire, 21st century repertoire, and premiers.

An important part of the company, the Young Artist Program, offers college and university-trained singers an opportunity to sing smaller roles in mainstage performances and to participate in the opera chorus. Opera outreach performances are also offered by the Young Artists. Last year Cedar Rapids Opera, through mainstage and outreach productions, performed for over 7,000 audience members and community school students.

Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre regularly collaborates with

• Iowa Public Radio
• Orchestra Iowa
• Theatre Cedar Rapids
• Cedar Rapids Community Schools
• Iowa Public Television
•  Iowa Film Commission
• Brucemore
• Coe College
• Mount Mercy University
• Kirkwood Community College
• Cornell College
• Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center
• Coralville Center for the Performing Arts
• Legion Arts/CSPS
• Cedar Falls-Waterloo Schools
• Iowa City West High School

Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre receives generous major support from

• National Endowment for the Arts
• Iowa Arts Council
• Iowa Community Cultural Grant
• City of Cedar Rapids—Hotel/Motel Fund
• Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
• Giacoletto Foundation

Long-time season sponsors include

• CRST International
• John & Dyan Smith
• Rockwell Collins

Key production sponsors include:

• Great America Leasing Corporation
• United Fire Group
• American Composers Forum
• Mark Zimmerman Ford
• Cedar Rapids Gazette
• KCRG-TV 9
• The Junior League of Cedar Rapids
• Iowa Glass
• RBC Wealth Management
• Wells Fargo
• Western Fraternal Life Insurance
• Divine Engineering
• Jared and Carol Hills Foundation
• Myron and Esther Wilson

Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre has two endowed funds held at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.