If you’re interested in how South Texas is leading the change in making the art of Opera fun, fresh, and accessible, look no further than the Opera Austin Festival, taking place this Saturday, November 15, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at KMFA 89.5 Studios’ Draylen Mason Music Studio.
Founded by world-renowned Latino Opera composer, experimental artist, and entrepreneur Nathan Felix, Opera Austin Festival is a one-day festival celebrating new opera by opera organizations, composers, and singers.
2024 saw the success of the inaugural Opera Austin Festival, hosted by comedian Korey Coleman (Double Toasted podcast) and radio host Laurie Gallardo (KUTX), both Austin locals. The event intends to highlight the collaborative and innovative spirit that thrives in Central Texas. The event even won a “Best New Venture of 2024” award from KMFA.
The event features a main stage and secondary stage, plus educational panels and networking opportunities. Each performance is brief, lasting between 15 – 30 minutes, while panels and networking sessions can go for up to about an hour.
According to the festival’s website, Opera Austin Festival will spotlight diverse productions on the main stage in the Draylen Mason Music Studio. Each participating organization will curate its opera under the festival umbrella to present an eclectic variety of creativity and voices.
A secondary Aria Stage will pair new works by living composers with young artists early in their singing careers, all of whom submitted materials to an open call this summer.
The festival will also include panel discussions in the conference room, allowing composers and organizations to discuss their work. There will also be complimentary food and refreshments from festival sponsors.
Founding director Nathan Felix is an Austin composer known for creating stories and music that highlight Latino performers in lead roles. His latest work, ”Ribas-Dominicci,” is based on a true story and written about a family friend. Excerpts from the opera will be performed at the event.
Drop The Spotlight got the opportunity to interview Felix about this year’s festival and his creative work.
Serenity Bogert: Nathan, can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your relationship to San Antonio?
Nathan Felix: I fell in love with the art scene in San Antonio during visits between 2015 and 2017. I ended up moving there, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. SA became an open canvas for experimentation in my classical, choral, and opera work and was the catalyst for my career launch.
SB: What can we expect from this year’s festival?
NF: This year’s festival offers a variety of events. We will be premiering a whole lot, including 11 new arias by living composers; three Main Stage short operas by Austin composers; a speed-dating style networking session; and a panel on the state and growth of opera and music in Austin.
SB: Are there any changes from the inaugural fest last year?
NF: Yes, this year we are focusing on individual artists rather than companies. This gives a peek inside the ground-level work being done here in Austin by both up-and-coming composers and established composers/producers. We also wanted to focus on making opera and those involved in it more accessible, and that’s where the Speed Networking session comes into play.
SB: What are you most looking forward to?
NF: I’m looking forward to the new talent pool we are showcasing. Each year, we want to involve as many new artists as we can, in hopes of inspiring new opera works. We want the community to know they have an outlet to present their work through our festival.
SB: Why do you feel it’s important that opera is made accessible in Austin?
NF: Opera must be made accessible in Austin because opera in many ways is the heartbeat of music here in Austin – whether its in the form of your church choir, your next door neighbor singing, classical radios, big institutions, or the band you see at White Horse – these people are all over our community and this music is ingrained in the culture.
SB: Are you working on anything at the moment? What can we expect from you creatively in 2026?
NF: I am on my way to Boston next week for a recording of my opera with Anita Gonzales, “Faces in the Flames.” Then, I have some things in the works for my country band. Next year I am on tour with new operas, country music, SXSW parties, and a lot more — it is definitely going to be a jam-packed year, and I can’t wait!
SB: Awesome! Thank you so much for sitting down with me, and best of luck this weekend and in the new year!
NF: Indeed, same to you, and thank you!
For more information about the Opera Austin Festival, visit https://www.operaaustinfestival.com/. Tickets to the one-day event are $30.00.
Photos provided by Nathan Felix/Opera Austin Festival.
