Opera Innovators: Louisa Muller

By: Suzanne Whitney

Throughout opera’s history, composers, librettists, directors, and artists of all kinds have contributed to this ever-evolving art form. Despite the public perception of opera being a bit stodgy, today’s operatic artists are trying out new and inventive musical styles, developing new stagecraft techniques, and telling new kinds of stories to reflect our diverse and expanding world. Here at Opera Colorado, we want to celebrate the artists pushing the envelope and moving opera’s grand history forward. 

Meet Louisa Muller

For this installment of Opera Innovators, we are delighted to feature director Louisa Muller, who made her Opera Colorado debut this fall. As the director of Puccini’s Tosca, Louisa’s vision, creativity, and warmth were present in every moment of the production.

As opera patrons, we enjoy the final product—the glitz and glam when the velvet curtain finally rises. But have you ever wanted to sit in on a rehearsal? Have you wondered how a director pulls together all the artistic elements to create something mesmerizing? For Louisa, she starts with the score. She listens and lets the music inform her process. Then she collaborates with other artistic team members, like costuming, scenic, lighting, and more, to create a collective vision for the production. In this episode of Opera Innovators, join Louisa during rehearsal for Puccini’s Tosca. Her passion for opera is clear, as is her passion for supporting young opera singers. She is a coach and teacher to many, helping the artists find moments of true connection. 

We were grateful for Louisa’s deft artistic hand at the wheel during Tosca. Opera truly takes a village to create, but her direction colors so much of the beauty and storytelling found in our first production in 20 months. Beyond her artistic vision, Louisa has a vision for the future of opera. A more inclusive vision featuring diversity, not just on stage, but at every level of operatic organizations, from the works we program to the staff and production teams to the leaders of opera companies across the country and the world! 

Louisa said it best herself:

“I hope that we can be open to all that opera can be… We all had to shut down for so long, that I hope in the reopening,  we just keep opening further.”

Directed by: Suzanne Whitney
Cinematography by: Bahy Ghoneim & Rocky Mountain Public Media
Edited by: Lane Mathis
Featuring: The cast, crew, and artistic team for Opera Colorado’s 2021 production of Tosca

More Opera Innovators

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Louisa Muller and learning about her vision for the future of opera! If you want to know more about operatic artists who are pushing the envelope, check out our other installments of Opera Innovators!

Nmon Ford was the star of our digital production Josephine & The Promise of Living, as well as the composer of Orfeus, A House Music Opera. Follow the story of how he created a new genre and collaborated with incredible artists to make his dream a reality. Learn More>>

 Cecilia Violetta López has performed on Opera Colorado’s mainstage and at our first in-person event of 2021, Canciones de Nuestras Tierras. Discover how Cecilia blurs the line between the Mexican folkloric music she grew up with and the operatic world. Learn More>>

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Did you enjoy this installment of Opera Innovators? Who are the artists you think are creating innovative projects and ideas in the world of opera? Let us know in the comments below.