New artist-led opera company launches in Upstate Aug. 7
Opera isn’t just for fancy people: Full Body Opera is redefining what opera looks like
If you’ve ever thought opera wasn’t for you, Full Body Opera would love the chance to prove you wrong.
Launching with its inaugural recital and fundraising event on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at 7 p.m., Full Body Opera is introducing Greenville to a different kind of opera company—one founded and operated entirely by professional opera singers and musicians who believe extraordinary music should be welcoming, approachable, and accessible to everyone.
As Greenville’s only dedicated opera company, Full Body Opera was created to challenge one of classical music’s biggest misconceptions: that opera is reserved for the elite or only understood by experts.
“Opera has somehow become the one art form where people think they need to study before they show up,” Arts Administrator Lindsey Brakhage said. “People tell me all the time, ‘I don’t know Italian,’ or ‘I don’t own a tuxedo.’ And I’m always like…perfect. Neither of those is on the admission test. Opera actually has this wonderfully rowdy history. It wasn’t always hidden behind crystal chandeliers and black tie—it was loud and full of life. Audiences cheered in the middle of performances, demanded encores, and if a singer was having a really bad night, they threw food. It was a riot.
“Opera gave everyday people a place to laugh, cry, fall in love, debate ideas, and even poke fun at the culture and politics of the day. Somewhere along the way, we traded all of that for the idea that opera is only for people who know the rules. That’s the opposite of where it came from.”
The August 7 launch concert features an engaging mix of opera favorites and Broadway classics, proving that powerful storytelling transcends genre. Throughout the performance, artists will introduce many of the selections, giving audiences the stories behind the music and making the concert welcoming for both lifelong opera lovers and those attending their very first opera performance.
The evening also serves as Full Body Opera’s inaugural fundraiser. As a grassroots nonprofit, every ticket purchased and every silent auction bid will directly support the company’s first season of programming, including the organization’s first fully staged opera production.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early to browse a silent auction & raffle featuring experiences, artwork, dining, and donations from businesses and artists throughout the Upstate. Every dollar raised helps bring live opera into schools, museums, churches, parks, and neighborhoods across Greenville.
Founded and operated entirely by working professional musicians, Full Body Opera believes opera belongs wherever people gather—not just on grand stages, but anywhere stories can be shared and communities can connect through music.
Event Details
“Opera Meets Broadway”
- Friday, Aug. 7, 2026
- Performance Begins: 7: p.m.
- Harper Prayer Chapel, First Presbyterian Church
- 200 W Washington St., Greenville
- Click for tickets.
- For sponsorship opportunities or more information, visit FullBodyOpera.com.
Founded in 2026, Full Body Opera is a nonprofit performing arts organization based in Greenville. Founded and operated entirely by professional musicians, Full Body Opera exists to make opera welcoming, accessible, and relevant through engaging performances, educational programming, and community partnerships. As Greenville’s only dedicated opera company, the organization presents intimate performances, educational experiences, and innovative programming that invite audiences of all backgrounds to discover the power of the human voice.