Karen Slack is an operatic virtuoso who debuted the role of Billie in the 2019 world premiere of Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones, and who has amassed a body of work highlighting living composers.

In Partnership with Opera Lafayette

Did you know that the first complete opera by a Black American has been hidden in a single manuscript for more than 130 years? Edmond Dédé, a fourth-generation free person of color born in 1827 New Orleans, had an incredibly successful career as a conductor and composer in Bordeaux, France, writing nearly 100 critically and popularly acclaimed works for the French stage. His magnum opus, however–a four act French grand opera on themes from Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves–had yet to receive a premiere at the time of his death and languished, unrecognized, in private collections and libraries for over a century.

Opera Lafayette, with Artistic Director Designate Patrick Dupré Quigley, and in partnership with New Orleans’ OperaCréole’s Givonna Joseph (who will lead the Pre-Show Discussions), have painstakingly transcribed this monumental work and will present the long overdue world premiere of Dédé’s masterpiece, 138 years after its composition.

Note: This production will be performed in concert and is not fully staged.

Performances: Jan 30 @7pm & Feb 1 @8pm

Immerse yourself in the passion of Samuel Barber’s tour de force in the hands of NSO Music Director and renowned opera conductor Gianandrea Noseda. Presented as part of the NSO’s annual Opera in Concert series, Vanessa is a tale of self-discovery, longing, and the raw pursuit of love. Nicole Heaston, J’Nai Bridges, Matthew Polenzani, Susan Graham, and Thomas Hampson join the orchestra as special guests.

Warm up this winter with an evening in sunny Spain! The Latin Grammy nominated Pan American Symphony Orchestra (PASO) brings you a lush symphonic extravaganza - works by three of Spain's most celebrated composers Pablo de Sarasate, Joaquin Turina, and Manuel de Falla. Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy for orchestra and violin, featuring Holly Nelson on violin, is based on the themes from Bizet's famous opera, Carmen, and is a virtuoso showcase for the violin. Turina's The Bullfighter's Prayer (Oración del Torero), originally written for a guitar quartet, and his Serenade (Serenata) have been masterfully arranged by Maestro Buslje for orchestra. Talented Argentine pianist, Agustin Muriago, solos on piano in Turina's Rapsodia Sinfónica. This concert also features excerpts from Manuel de Falla's El Amor Brujo and a work by Argentine composer, Carlos Guastavino, La Rosa y el Sauce. 

Performances: Jan 30 @7pm & Feb 1 @8pm

Immerse yourself in the passion of Samuel Barber’s tour de force in the hands of NSO Music Director and renowned opera conductor Gianandrea Noseda. Presented as part of the NSO’s annual Opera in Concert series, Vanessa is a tale of self-discovery, longing, and the raw pursuit of love. Nicole Heaston, J’Nai Bridges, Matthew Polenzani, Susan Graham, and Thomas Hampson join the orchestra as special guests.

Performances: 7pm & 9pm

Talented creative teams. Powerful stories. All-original opera. WNO’s acclaimed commissioning program for contemporary American opera enters another exciting season—showing how short opera can move and inspire us! Talented composer-librettist teams will showcase three world premiere one-act operas with the Cafritz Young Artists among the casts.

Dusky-voiced Samantha Hankey is a staple performer of German mezzo-soprano repertoire, recently portraying Octavian (Der Rosenkavalier) at the Metropolitan Opera for which she was cited by the New York Times as having “tireless energy and dramatic skill.” 

The Cartography Project presents two new works: The Seer (by Brittini Ward and Levi Taylor) and Future of Dreams (by Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton and Jaylin Vinson).

Performances: Nov. 13-23

Meet opera’s most power-hungry couple: Macbeth and his Lady. When they’re caught in a murderous plot to claim the Scottish throne, their manic greed for control has no end. Verdi wrote this powerhouse during Italy’s independence movement, and it soars with themes of political corruption, tyrannical rule, and liberation of the people.

Macbeth takes audiences through a gripping tale of ambition and scandal, from the first note to the spectacular closing chorus. As the chilling finale approaches, ghosts of the past lurk in the shadows. Power unchecked comes at a cost; what can stop its bloody path of destruction?

Performances: Nov. 13-23

Meet opera’s most power-hungry couple: Macbeth and his Lady. When they’re caught in a murderous plot to claim the Scottish throne, their manic greed for control has no end. Verdi wrote this powerhouse during Italy’s independence movement, and it soars with themes of political corruption, tyrannical rule, and liberation of the people.

Macbeth takes audiences through a gripping tale of ambition and scandal, from the first note to the spectacular closing chorus. As the chilling finale approaches, ghosts of the past lurk in the shadows. Power unchecked comes at a cost; what can stop its bloody path of destruction?

Performances: Nov. 13-23

Meet opera’s most power-hungry couple: Macbeth and his Lady. When they’re caught in a murderous plot to claim the Scottish throne, their manic greed for control has no end. Verdi wrote this powerhouse during Italy’s independence movement, and it soars with themes of political corruption, tyrannical rule, and liberation of the people.

Macbeth takes audiences through a gripping tale of ambition and scandal, from the first note to the spectacular closing chorus. As the chilling finale approaches, ghosts of the past lurk in the shadows. Power unchecked comes at a cost; what can stop its bloody path of destruction?

Performances: Nov. 13-23

Meet opera’s most power-hungry couple: Macbeth and his Lady. When they’re caught in a murderous plot to claim the Scottish throne, their manic greed for control has no end. Verdi wrote this powerhouse during Italy’s independence movement, and it soars with themes of political corruption, tyrannical rule, and liberation of the people.

Macbeth takes audiences through a gripping tale of ambition and scandal, from the first note to the spectacular closing chorus. As the chilling finale approaches, ghosts of the past lurk in the shadows. Power unchecked comes at a cost; what can stop its bloody path of destruction?

Performances: Nov. 13-23

Meet opera’s most power-hungry couple: Macbeth and his Lady. When they’re caught in a murderous plot to claim the Scottish throne, their manic greed for control has no end. Verdi wrote this powerhouse during Italy’s independence movement, and it soars with themes of political corruption, tyrannical rule, and liberation of the people.

Macbeth takes audiences through a gripping tale of ambition and scandal, from the first note to the spectacular closing chorus. As the chilling finale approaches, ghosts of the past lurk in the shadows. Power unchecked comes at a cost; what can stop its bloody path of destruction?

Performances: Nov. 13-23

Meet opera’s most power-hungry couple: Macbeth and his Lady. When they’re caught in a murderous plot to claim the Scottish throne, their manic greed for control has no end. Verdi wrote this powerhouse during Italy’s independence movement, and it soars with themes of political corruption, tyrannical rule, and liberation of the people.

Macbeth takes audiences through a gripping tale of ambition and scandal, from the first note to the spectacular closing chorus. As the chilling finale approaches, ghosts of the past lurk in the shadows. Power unchecked comes at a cost; what can stop its bloody path of destruction?

Nadine Sierra is hailed as one of the most promising, young talents in opera today—praised for her vocal beauty, seamless technique, and abundant musicality.

Feel the thunder of Wagner.

His music transcends opera stages and into pop culture. His stories transport audiences to immersive worlds where music and drama intertwine. Richard Wagner revolutionized opera with his innovative orchestrations and unparalleled theatrical visions. Now, join a special one-night-only celebration of the composer who harnessed the potent power of music.

This sweeping concert features video projections and staged selections from the likes of Tannhäuser, the Ring Cycle, The Flying Dutchman, Lohengrin, Parsifal, and more. Be there when soprano Christine Goerke, tenor Brandon Jovanovic, bass-baritone Derek Welton, bass Soloman Howard, and talented singers from WNO’s Macbeth and Fidelio take on the works of a legend who brought us everlasting stories of gods, betrayal, and love.

Marcus is a prolific musician with a diverse background in Jazz, R&B, and Opera. He is known for his work in social justice projects and has collaborated with various industry legends. Marcus is set to release a new Funk/R&B album and participate in upcoming events celebrating jazz music. Additionally, he composed a score for a documentary about Sidney Poitier in 2022.

Considered one of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s romantic depiction of Parisian bohemians captivates audiences. Soaring arias and glorious melodies collide with harsh realities. Wolf Trap Opera’s bright cast will embody the relatable and endearing characters in this heart-wrenching tale, leaving no one unmoved. Before the performance, join radio host and producer Mary Jo Heath, who was “Voice of the Met” for 15 seasons, on the Farmhouse Lawn (to the left of the main gate) for a preshow talk. She’ll share her enthusiasm for the opera and tell stories about her experience in the industry.

Sung in Italian with English captions.

Wolf Trap Opera (WTO) alumna and Grammy-nominated mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton returns for an exceptional recital at The Barns. Critically acclaimed by virtually every major classical music outlet and praised by Gramophone as having “the sort of instrument you could listen to all day,” Barton is sure to make an impression on stage with her unconquerable vocals. As Wolf Trap’s 2024 Filene Artist in Residence, Barton will also work with WTO’s emerging singers on artistic and practical preparation for their careers.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WOLF TRAP OPERA

John Morris Russell, conductor
Anna Lopez, performer
Gabrielle Beteag, mezzo soprano
Martin Luther Clark, tenor
Logan Wagner, tenor
Blake Denson, baritone
Charles Eaton, baritone

What does it mean to be an American immigrant? That is the question at the heart of NOI+F 2024’s opening performance, spotlighting an array of historical perspectives into this key inquiry into our national identity. Conductor John Morris Russell of the Cincinnati Pops celebrates his 10-year anniversary opening NOI+F with a program that begins with performances of two unalloyed symbols of Americana: The Star-Spangled Banner and Charles Ives' Variations on America. The NOI Philharmonic continues with works from a selection of composers ultimately claimed by the United States and whose journeys across borders deeply informs their music: the Russian Igor Stravinsky and his Scherzo a la Russe; Hungarian Miklós Rozsa and his Oscar-nominated Parade of the Charioteers and the Kings Row Suite from Austrian Erich Wolfgang Korngold's soundtrack for the titular 1942 movie. Next, the audience is invited to sample more contemporary visions of American experience: Argentinian nuevo tango revolutionary Astor Piazzolla's 1959 elegy to his father Adios Nonino, penned while in New York; and Armenian-American Mary Kouyoumdjian's 2013 orchestral composition Diary of an Immigrant, meant to capture (in her words) "the strange and bittersweet stillness once immigration is achieved." The evening concludes with Kurt Weill's 1933 score to The Seven Deadly Sins. Created by Weill in Paris before he had ever even visited the U.S., the work plots a satirical musical travelogue of America's cities, each as representative of a chief vice.This ballet chanté would be Weill's last major collaboration with his longtime creative partner Bertolt Brecht, who provides lyrics for our special vocal guests, select members of Wolf Trap Opera.

Performances: May 11-25

Love makes a princess stronger in this glorious production by Francesca Zambello, offering a Turandot for our times.

Please be advised that this production includes references to sexual violence and includes some mature themes, including brief onstage depictions of violence.

Olivia Currier is a mezzo-soprano from Albuquerque, New Mexico. She holds a degree from Texas Tech University under the mentorship of Dr. Rebecca Hays and Dr. William Averill. She has performed in outreach projects for the Amarillo Opera and as an Apprentice Artist with the Sarasota Opera. She has sung previously with Quintessence: A Community of Singers as a Choral Scholar, alongside the Voces8 US Scholars, as the alto soloist for Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb with the Lubbock Chorale, and as a guest singer with the Hungarian chamber choir Ars Nova Énekegyüttes.

Explore the themes of WNO’s  Turandot  through a special panel discussion, exhibit, and afternoon tea at The Darcy’s Bader Ginsburg room.

Panelists will include WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, plus composer Christopher Tin and librettist Susan Soon He Stanton—the creatives behind Turandot’s new world premiere ending, which WNO premieres this May! The event will be moderated by Eric Hing-Tao Hung, Executive Director of the Music of Asian America Research Center at the University of Maryland. 

Olivia Kellett is an operatic soprano with a passion for creating classical music experiences that can be enjoyed by everybody. She has portrayed roles such as Giulietta in I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, and Erste Dame in The Magic Flute. Additionally, she has had the pleasure of serving as soprano soloist in a variety of choral engagements, such as Vivaldi’s Gloria, Handel’s Messiah and Rutter’s Requiem. One of her most exciting choir experiences was performing in Disneyland’s Candlelight with Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Performances: Apr 13, 17, 19, @7:30pm and Apr 21 @3pm

Daniel Catán, composer
Marcela Fuentes-Berain, librettist
David Neely, conductor
Corinne Hayes, director

Journey down the Amazon River aboard the steamboat El Dorado in Daniel Catán’s opera that explores themes of longing, self-discovery and the connection between art and the natural world. Inspired by the magical realism found in the works of Gabriel Garcia Márquez, Florencia en el Amazonas follows the story of Florencia Grimaldi, a famous soprano returning home to sing at the opera house in Manaus with hopes that the performance will attract her love Cristóbal, a butterfly hunter who has gone missing in the jungle.