Under the theme “Governance and Effective Leadership,” Cascais Opera took part in the 19th Annual Opera Latinoamérica (OLA) Conference, held at the Municipal Theatre of Lima, Peru. A member of OLA since 2024, Cascais Opera has steadily strengthened its participation in the network, achieving tangible results both for its competition participants and for Portugal’s presence within this important international community.
One of the most significant aspects of this year’s conference was the clear convergence among member organisations around a shared vision for the future of opera management and leadership. Discussions highlighted a global movement towards more sustainable governance models, characterised by transparent and healthy management practices, collaborative leadership and a genuine commitment to listening to all stakeholders. Topics ranged from strategic planning and funding to audience development, new production challenges, national and international networking, and the increasingly important social role that opera houses and cultural organisations play within their communities.
The discussions reinforced the idea that leadership in the cultural sector is becoming more collaborative, more conscious and better equipped to respond to contemporary challenges, including digital transformation, changing audience expectations and increasing competition across the arts and entertainment industries. At the same time, participants reaffirmed opera’s unique capacity to engage audiences, inspire artists and generate a significant cultural, social and economic impact, both locally and internationally.
For Cascais Opera, participation in the conference further consolidated the Competition’s position among OLA’s member organisations. A clear example of this collaboration is the Carlos Gomes Prize, awarded in partnership with the Amazonas Opera Festival in Manaus, Brazil, a partnership that will be further strengthened in the coming years. The conference also opened new avenues for collaboration with organisations in Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 2027 OLA Conference, as well as with opera institutions in Chile, Venezuela and other Latin American countries.
Reflecting the growing impact of Cascais Opera’s integration into the OLA network, the 2026 edition of the Competition welcomed a record number of applicants from Latin America, including singers from Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile, Venezuela and Uruguay, among others. This growing participation demonstrates the vitality of the network and the value of the professional relationships built year after year. Beyond attracting talented singers, these partnerships also translate into concrete professional engagements. In addition to monetary prizes, Cascais Opera offers its participants a range of career opportunities, supporting their international development and encouraging artistic exchange across cultures and countries.
The conference also provided the opportunity to attend performances of two rarely staged operas: Tancredi by Gioachino Rossini and La púrpura de la rosa by Tomás de Torrejón y Velasco, based on a libretto by Pedro Calderón de la Barca.
Cascais Opera’s regular participation in major international forums—including OLA and, more recently, the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC) Conference held in Vilnius in June—has played an increasingly important role in promoting the project internationally. These initiatives position Cascais and Portugal within a network of artistic excellence while strengthening cultural diplomacy, one of the most effective instruments for enhancing a country’s international profile.
During this edition of the OLA Conference, in addition to establishing valuable connections with opera companies and cultural organisations from across Latin America, Cascais Opera also strengthened its relationship with the Ambassador of Portugal to Peru, further reinforcing Portugal’s cultural presence in the country.
Cascais Opera now looks forward to returning in 2027 for the 20th Annual OLA Conference, which will be hosted by the magnificent Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro.
