Artist Roster

Our Mission:

OperaDelaware is America’s 11th oldest professional non-profit opera company with a reputation for excellence in both opera and arts education. OperaDelaware opens the door to bold, vibrant and creative operatic programming that enriches the community, transforms audiences, and encourages dialogue.

Our History:

The year was 1945 when a group of local artisans gathered under the guidance of Chick Laird to present classic opera with the finest voices in Wilmington at affordable prices. Today, as a nationally-recognized, regional professional company, our patrons are geographically and culturally as diverse as ever, stretching across the East Coast while at the same time reaching deeply into our Wilmington roots. For over 75 years, OperaDelaware has enriched the community and brought tremendous talent to Delaware. We offer two thrilling mainstage operas each season performed at The Grand with full orchestra. Our riverfront OperaDelaware Studios are the home of our Studio Series performances, with artist-curated cabarets, recitals, and workshops. Experience the grandeur and passion of live opera without leaving the First State!  In 2021, OperaDelaware launched our Pop-Up Opera program, an initiative that brings accessible and exceptional opera to Delawareans of all ages throughout the state. Our fire-engine red Mobile Opera Stage has become a beacon for curious opera newcomers across the state.  We are a company that still retains the founders’ original philosophy of “Opera for All."

Celebrate 250 years of American spirit, style, and song with Fascinating Rhythm, a sparkling one-woman show led by OperaDelaware Company Artist Emily Margevich. This 90-minute program is a joyful, elegant journey through the Great American Songbook, featuring timeless music by Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, and more. With warmth, charisma, and unmatched vocal brilliance, Margevich brings these iconic melodies to life as she effortlessly blends Broadway swagger, Hollywood glamour, and heartfelt patriotism into a program that feels both nostalgic and freshly alive.Perfect for civic celebrations, cultural organizations, concert series, and community events marking America’s 250th anniversary, Fascinating Rhythm is designed to delight audiences of all ages. From beloved standards like Cheek to Cheek, Blue Skies, and Puttin’ on the Ritz to rousing anthems such as God Bless America and You’re a Grand Old Flag, the program honors America’s musical legacy while creating a shared, feel-good experience that lingers long after the final note. Engaging, flexible, and deeply American, Fascinating Rhythm is an ideal centerpiece for your 250th Anniversary Celebration.