Opera for All
Mission
Uniting People through Intimate and Accessible Performances.
Opera Unbound is a non-profit organization that breaks the barriers preventing 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 operas in non traditional venues throughout the Seattle Tacoma region at a budget friendly price. We’re enthusiastic in our appreciation for opera and want to unite people through opera performances in our community.
Values
Foster Collaboration and Uphold Artists
We want to create a space where unconventional ideas are welcome.
We believe that opera is an artform for everyone and want to foster collaboration in our community.
We believe artists deserve to thrive not only survive, and want to support local artists with living wage.
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Co-Founder and Executive Director
Mike is a musician, educator, entrepreneur, and an operavangelist at heart. He learned early on in his career about the power of opera when it’s performed in ways that are more direct and relatable. After doing a lot of intimate recitals and numerous outreach tours with companies, he decided to take his love for opera and mold it in a way that speaks to broader audiences.
In 2016, Mr. Heitmann started making modern adaptations of traditional operas in English, incorporating social issues and trends in order to reach broader, and younger audiences. His adaptations include The Marriage of Figaro, Carmen, The Elixir of Love, Don Giovanni, The Real Housewives of Sparta (Offenbach’s La belle Hélène), as well as The Prince’s Matchmaker (Viardot’s Cendrillon) inspired by The Bachelor.
In 2020, he co-founded Opera Unbound with Rachelle Moss, which initially was an educational podcast intended to break down the barriers between opera singers and new audiences. It covered the process, challenges, stereotypes, and inspirations associated with opera. In 2022, Opera Unbound produced its first show, Donizetti’s Elixir of Love, continuing its mission is to make opera accessible for all.
In addition to his work for Opera Unbound, he has performed throughout the United States for opera companies like Seattle Opera, Tacoma Opera, Inland Northwest Opera, Puget Sound Concert Opera and Northwest Opera in the Schools, Etc..., FBN Productions, and Opera on Tap. Some of his favorite roles include the title role in Don Giovanni, Count Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Father (Hansel and Gretel), Reverend Olin Bitch (Susannah), Ben (The Telephone), and Bello (La fanciulla del West).
A regular concert and recital performer, his Love in the Time of Tinder, which describes the joys and ills of modern dating through classical music, has been performed in New York City, Seattle, and Moscow, Idaho. He's also been a soloist in Fauré's Requiem, Gounod's Messe Solennelle, Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven's Symphony no. 9, Schubert's Mass in G Major, and J.S. Bach's Johannes-Passion, BWV 56, 145, and 158.
Want to talk to Mike? Feel free to email him at mike@operaunbound.org
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Co-Founder, Treasurer
Rachelle Moss leaves a lasting impression with her luscious voice and elaborate characterizations. Her voice is described as “powerful … , and at home in the dramatic repertoire. Definitely a contralto to watch”! (Contralto Corner). The commitment to interpretation was noticed by the Sarasota newspaper, Your Observer. They praised her portrayal of Kate Pinkertion in Sarasota Opera’s production of Madama Butterfly as “regal”, and Ann Milam of L’Aria said “Rachelle entertained us with her hilarious impression of Julia Child”.
Moss is a versatile artist who has portrayed Ortrud in Lohengrin with Sky Opera, Dritte Dame in Die Zauberflöte with Eugene Opera, Giovanna in Rigoletto with Vashon Opera, Bianca in The Rape of Lucretia with Tacoma Opera, Meg Page in Verdi’s Falstaff and Orsini in Lucrezia Borgia with Puget Sound Concert Opera, the Mistress of Novices in Suor Angelica with St. Petersburg Opera, and La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica at Lyric Opera Northwest.
Rachelle also enjoys singing both operetta and concert repertoire. She has performed the roles of Julia Child in Bon Appetit for Seattle Opera Guild, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd with the University of North Texas, as the Alto soloist in Handel’s Messiah and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Federal Way Symphony, and as the Alto soloist in Mozart’s Coronation Mass with Kansas City Kansas Community Chorus. In 2023, she made her debut as Mercedes in Carmen with Tacoma Opera.
Ms. Moss was an 2016-2017 Apprentice Artist at Sarasota Opera. She has received numerous awards including: a Career Grant from the Seattle Opera Guild, an Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council, the Mary Cook Memorial Award for Outstanding Apprentice Artist from Sarasota Opera Guild, and the Stuart R. Silver Scholarship from Sarasota Opera. She holds a Bachelor's in Music History and Master's in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas.
Want to talk to Rachelle? Feel free to email her at rachelle@operaunbound.org