New Study Demonstrates Gender Imbalances Persist in US Opera

Porgy and Bess, Met Opera — Porgy and Bess, 2019. Production by James Robinson, set designs by Michael Yeargan, costume designs by Catherine Zuber. Photo: Ken Howard

Last week, a study in the Equality, Diversion and Inclusion journal highlighted major gender imbalances in the US opera sector.

What’s up?: Equality, Diversion and Inclusion, a peer-reviewed journal, published a study last week highlighting major gender inequities in leadership positions in the US opera sector. The study surveyed the 11 largest American companies between 2005 and 2021, including the Met, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the San Francisco Opera.

Going Deeper: The study found that between 2005 and 2021 at these companies, men accounted for:

95% of conductors
85% of directors
88% of set designers
85% of lighting designers
59% of costume designers

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Sara Schabas

Sara Schabas is a Dora-nominated soprano, writer and yoga teacher. She has performed and created leading roles with companies including Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, the Dayton Opera, and Aspen Opera, and is a former member of Barbara Hannigan’s Equilibrium Young Artists. Currently based in Montreal, she is a doctoral student at McGill University — where she recently received the Wirth Vocal Prize — and editor of Art Song Canada magazine.