The Founder

West Edge Opera was founded as Berkeley Opera in 1979 by baritone Richard Goodman, also an Engineering Professor at the University of California at Berkeley, who is now Artistic Director Emeritus.

Our Mission

West Edge Opera's mission is to present opera as lively, compelling musical theater, fusing music and drama to delight, move, and challenge our audiences, while remaining accessible, affordable and engaging. To this end, its objectives include:

• providing quality performances that respect the unique spirit of each work while presenting it in a way that is fresh and meaningful to our audiences
  
  
• appealing to a wide audience of all ages, ranging from seasoned opera lovers to those experiencing opera for the first time
  
  
• promoting community involvement through education, outreach, and opportunities to participate in a variety of ways, and
  
  
• providing the opportunity for emerging talent to gain experience and exposure.

Performances take place in the beautiful new state-of-the-art Performing Arts Theater at El Cerrito High School. Located at 540 Ashbury Avenue in El Cerrito, the theater offers 450 comfortable seats with continental seating, a proscenium stage with full orchestra pit and other modern amenities.

West Edge Opera productions are in English or in original language with English supertitles. Ticket prices are kept affordable, with discounts for students.