Now in its third season, the event launched as the “96-Hour Opera Project” has expanded to include developmental workshops and incubator performances of works in production in addition to a composition competition.

The competition, in which teams of composers and librettists have four days to workshop and stage completely new and compelling 10-minute operas, is the heart of the festival. Each team presents its work in a showcase before an audience and a panel of judges.

Winners from the previous year’s competition will have the opportunity to present their developed works in an incubator setting and, the following year, as a more developed workshopped opera.

In 2024, the 96-Hour Opera Festival will commence on Friday, June 14 and conclude with the competition showcase. The showcase and all public workshops will be hosted in partnership with Morehouse College, School of Music. The competition finals will be open to the public and will be held at the Ray Charles Center for the Performing Arts located at 900 West End Ave, SW in Atlanta on Monday, June 17, 2024.

Story partners will assist The Atlanta Opera to provide a compelling story theme or themes for the participating librettists and composers. The story prompts will be provided to the creative teams in advance of the competition with time to engage in exploration and research on the subject with the story partners.

Designed specifically for composers and librettists who have been historically underrecognized in the opera field, the competition is open to composers and librettists who self-identify as part of a demographic underrecognized in opera composition.

There is no age range or limit for applying, but composers and librettists in the early stages of their careers are encouraged to participate. Creators may have acquired significant skills in academic or professional settings, but have not had works performed regularly.

We will provide an option to pair artists, based on their experience and interests.

All participating teams will travel to Atlanta after preparing their work in advance of the program. Travel (airfare or mileage reimbursement), housing, singers, pianists, and preparation space will be provided to each composer/librettist team in order to showcase their new mini-operas.

Submissions will be evaluated based off of artistic excellence or the potential for artistic excellence, artistic ability, knowledge of both vocal and orchestral writing (composers), and character development (librettists).

Judges for the 2024 competition will be announced soon.

• Day 1: Fri, June 14, 2024:  Introductions and music rehearsal.
• Day 2: Sat, June 15, 2024:  Rehearsal and staging
• Day 3: Sun, June 16, 2024: Coaching, mentorship with judges, and final prep
• Day 4: Mon, June 17, 2024:  Dress rehearsal, Showcase performance and judging

(Travel days will occur before Day 1 and after Day 4, on 6/13 and 6/18 so composers and librettists should be available 6/13 to 6/18 to participate.)

Artists will work with our Story Partner to refine and explore their story prompts during their writing process. 

We’ll invite the community to enjoy the performances on Monday, June 17, 2024. The Atlanta Opera Film Studio will capture aspects of the preparation and the competition showcase. Specific use of the video and audio recordings will be determined by the needs of The Atlanta Opera.