Opera for All
Mission
Uniting People through Intimate and Accessible Performances.
Opera Unbound is a nonprofit that breaks the barriers keeping people from experiencing opera — whether that’s language, time, money, or accessibility. We present 60–90 minute modern-English adaptations of classic operas and newer American works in non-traditional venues throughout the Seattle–Tacoma region, all at budget-friendly prices. We also work with some of the best talent in the region, including those who have sung at Seattle Opera, The Metropolitan Opera, and other major opera houses throughout the world.
We’re unapologetically enthusiastic about opera and committed to uniting people through intimate, welcoming performances in our community.
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Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Mike Heitmann is a musician, educator, and opera evangelist passionate about making opera feel direct, relatable, and accessible. Early in his career, he saw how powerful opera can be when it’s performed in intimate, welcoming settings—and that discovery shaped everything that followed.
Since 2016, Mike has created modern English adaptations of classic operas that reflect contemporary life, including The Marriage of Figaro, Carmen, The Elixir of Love, Don Giovanni, and the fan-favorite The Real Housewives of Sparta (based on Offenbach’s La belle Hélène).
In 2020, he founded Opera Unbound as an educational podcast to demystify opera for new audiences. In 2022, the organization pivoted to live production with its first staged opera, The Elixir of Love, expanding its mission to make opera truly accessible for all.
As a performer, Mike has appeared with companies including Seattle Opera, Tacoma Opera, Inland Northwest Opera, and Puget Sound Concert Opera. He is also the creator of the recital Love in the Time of Tinder, a humorous take on modern dating through classical music.
Contact: mike@operaunbound.org