‘Is opera the most misogynistic art form?’ asked Charlotte Higgins in The Guardian back in 2016, noting that the genre itself seems to devour women. In Classical Music Magazine in 2020, Becca Marriott argued that ‘Sexism is preventing women from forging a career in opera’. Over the course of the next episodes, we are looking at how voices in opera are calling for change to make it better for the next generation of operatic talent. In this episode, we explore misogyny in opera both on the stage and behind the scenes, and investigate the lived experience of artists who are striving to make the opera world a place where everyone feels welcome, respected and safe.

Opera has long faced accusations of elitism, racism and misogyny, and over the course of the next few episodes, we are looking at how voices in opera are calling for change to make it better for all our young artists. We begin by looking at the representation of Asian culture on the operatic stage, and investigate the lived experience of three artists who are striving to make the opera world a place where everyone feels welcome.

OperaVision is back in Paris at Opera for Peace’s second academy, with our expert the soprano Sumi Jo sharing her warm yet strict approach to working with emerging artists, and giving us tips on sustaining a long and healthy career. Meanwhile, we explore what it means to come to opera later in life with tenor Raùl Guttierrez, and the importance of protecting your voice and the pursuit of self-improvement with soprano Maria Belén Rivarola.