Des Moines Metro Opera

Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) is an American opera company based in Indianola, Iowa. Founded in 1973 by Robert L. Larsen and Douglas Duncan, the company presents an annual summer opera festival at the Blank Performing Arts Center on the campus of Simpson College. Its productions are performed in repertory and are staged in an intimate 467-seat theater. Michael Egel has served as general and artistic director since 2013 and artistic director since 2010, and David Neely was appointed music director and principal conductor in 2012.

The company has received national and international critical attention for its programming and artistic scale. In a 2025 profile, The New York Times described Des Moines Metro Opera as "one of the country’s most ambitious and successful smaller companies," noting its presentation of large-scale works in a small venue. In a 2024 review, The New Yorker described the company as "one of America’s boldest smaller companies," highlighting its adventurous repertory and the intimacy of its performances. In 2024, the company was named a finalist for Festival of the Year at the International Opera Awards, the only American company nominated in that category.

In addition to its summer festival, Des Moines Metro Opera operates programs including the OPERA Iowa educational touring troupe and the Frank R. Brownell III Apprentice Artist Program, which provides training and performance opportunities for emerging artists.