Neal Goren

Neal Goren is the founder and artistic director of Catapult Opera which projects a more dynamic future for opera by broadening the art form and its audience, and by launching innovative productions that celebrate the classically trained voice. Goren’s former venture, Gotham Chamber Opera, popularised and legitimised the formerly ignored genre of chamber opera, which has now attained respect equal to the pillars of the operatic repertoire. In its fifteen years of existence, Goren conducted all of Gotham’s 27 productions. Goren’s other conducting credits include performances of standard operas, non-standard operas and premieres throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. A much sought-after recital accompanist, Goren has concertised extensively with Leontyne Price, Kathleen Battle, Thomas Hampson and many others. He is an associate professor at Mannes College, where he has served on the faculty since 1991, and he also is on the faculty of Camerata Bardi. He is a frequent judge of national and international vocal and composers’ competitions and is a frequent featured guest on the Metropolitan Opera Quiz. A celebrated writer and lecturer on opera topics, his book, Beyond the Aria, was published by Rowman & Littlefield (formerly Amadeus Press) in 2021. He is a frequent contributor to Air Mail digital magazine.