Los Angeles Opera

The Los Angeles Opera began in 1948 as the Los Angeles Civic Grand Opera. In the 1960s it was restructured as the Music Center Opera Association, which brought in productions from many different cities. Peter Hemmings was hired in 1984 as the Founding General Director and conceived the Los Angeles Opera as it exists today—a local opera company that presents its own productions. It is one of the largest opera companies in the United States that features a standard repertory alongside new operas, and is also known for its educational and community programs.