About Sugar Creek Opera

Founded in 2002 by Soprano Helen Todd, Sugar Creek Opera (formerly Sugar Creek Symphony & Song) was Ms. Todd’s dream to bring world class, professional opera from the city to the countryside of Iroquois County. Today Sugar Creek Opera (SCO) is the only professional opera company in Illinois, outside the City of Chicago. It serves opera aficionados throughout Illinois, Indiana and across the Midwest. Sugar Creek Opera, headquartered in Watseka, IL, is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization in accordance with the IRS. SCO is a Tier 4 opera company and a member of Opera America. Before the COVID Pandemic each summer during its annual opera festival, a cast of renowned professional singers, conductors and stage directors travel to Iroquois County to create dynamic opera production of the highest professional standards.

Sugar Creek Opera is a member of Opera America.

Vision and Mission

It is the Vision of Sugar Creek Opera to produce and perform professional opera that inspires.
The Mission of Sugar Creek Opera is to:

  • Provide an intimate and accessible experience of professional opera.
  • Bring opera back to its roots, the way opera was meant to be performed.
  • Showcase innovative classic and American opera.
  • Honor the tradition of opera with seasoned professionals while providing training opportunities for young opera professionals.
  • Engage in creative collaborations, innovative outreach, and audience development.
Founder | General and Artistic Director | Producer

Helen Todd