Spanning January to July, the diverse menu of opera-inspired events endeavors to build community connections and offer unexpected and inclusive ways to experience the art formCINCINNATI (January 10, 2024)—Building upon the anticipation of its previously announced 2024 Summer Festival, Cincinnati Opera today unveiled a wide-ranging roster of community events and performances designed to augment and enhance its festival-going experience. Events begin in January 2024 and run through July 2024.
In September 2023, the company announced its 2024 mainstage season lineup at Cincinnati’s historic Music Hall, which will feature W.A. Mozart’s Don Giovanni (June 13 and 15), Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata (June 27, 28*, and 30), and the highly anticipated world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, in its first-ever operatic presentation (July 18, 20, 21, and 27).
Today’s newly announced events include the expansion of the company’s recently launched Studio Sessions, a series of intimate performances at Music Hall’s Wilks Studio curated and performed by stars of the 2024 Summer Festival. Also included is the return of the fan-favorite, free events Opera Goes to Church!, Back to the Zoo, and Opera in the Park.
Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals (COYP), a volunteer organization composed of opera fans under 40, will bring back the popular event series Singers & Spirits, hosted at local bars and wineries. In January, COYP will present their first-ever signature fundraiser, COYP Bacchanal, and in May, they’ll remount their opera season kickoff event, Divas & Diamonds.
In July, Cincinnati Opera will host a celebratory fundraising event in conjunction with the opening night performance of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, details of which will be announced in February 2024.
The newly announced events are in addition to the company’s previously announced Opera Raps, a free series of conversations led by opera experts revealing behind-the-scenes insights into the works featured during the 2024 Summer Festival.
Cincinnati Opera will also present multiple events focused on equity, accessibility, and inclusion, which will be produced in partnership with local healthcare and social service organizations. These include the annual Sensory-Friendly Rehearsals and Community Open Dress Rehearsal, as well as the second annual Access Night, which offers audiences with diverse accessibility needs the opportunity to experience opera through the use of assistive technologies. Dates and information for these events will be shared via community partners. Additional details are available from Cincinnati Opera’s Community Engagement and Education department: education@cincinnatiopera.org.
“Our summer festival of grand opera in Music Hall is the foundation of our programming,” said Christopher Milligan, Cincinnati Opera’s Harry Fath General Director & CEO. “At the same time, we are also committed to an array of programs that connect us with our community throughout the year. Many of these programs were developed hand-in-hand with artists and community partners and in response to our audience’s appetite for variety. As always, we seek to expand access and welcome in new audiences by providing multiple, meaningful points of connection.”
The full schedule of Cincinnati Opera’s community events and performances leading up to and surrounding the 2024 Summer Festival can be found below. Admission prices vary; see schedule for individual event and ticketing details. For additional information, visit cincinnatiopera.org.
*Indicates new performance date. The second performance of La Traviata has been moved from June 29, 2024, to June 28, 2024, in order to avoid conflicts with other major events near Music Hall.
Cincinnati Opera
2024 Community and Special Events
Calendar
January 25, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
Opera Rap: Hausmusik: Mozart and Friends at Home
Wilks Studio at Cincinnati Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
In anticipation of Cincinnati Opera’s June 2024 production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni, audiences are invited into this immersive exploration of the composer’s life and work. On countless evenings between 1784 and 1787, Mozart would invite friends to his Vienna home for food, wine, and music-making. Joseph Haydn was a frequent guest, as were many other celebrated musicians of the day. This event recreates a typical evening with the Mozarts featuring music for piano four hands, songs, and a string quartet dedicated to Haydn, along with excerpts from visitors’ memoirs, Mozart’s letters, and more.
Admission: Free. Cash bar available. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org.
January 26, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
Opera Rap: Mozart’s Women
Wilks Studio at Cincinnati Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
The celebrated conductor, scholar, and author Dame Jane Glover, who will conduct Cincinnati Opera’s Don Giovanni in June 2024, leads a discussion inspired by her book, Mozart’s Women: His Family, His Friends, His Music (Harper, 2006). Dame Jane will delve into Don Giovanni as well as the composer’s other glorious music for women, with performances by two members of the Don Giovanni cast: sopranos Jessica Rivera and Erin Keesy, accompanied by Cincinnati Opera Head of Music Andrew Crooks. The event precedes Dame Jane’s appearances that weekend with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, where she will conduct an all-Mozart program.
Admission: Free. Cash bar available. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org.
January 26, 2024, at 8 p.m.
COYP Bacchanal
The Transept
1205 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
More is more as Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals turn up the heat in this mid-winter party to raise funds in support of Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Summer Festival, community and education programs, and young professionals events. Guests are invited to a sultry, bacchanalian adventure of operatic proportions and dancing the night away. Admission includes an open bar (21+ only) along with performances by Cincinnati Opera, drag, and burlesque artists, and more surprises.
Admission: $125–$200. For tickets, group discounts, and more information, visit cincinnatiopera.org/young-professionals.
February 22, 2024, at 6 p.m.
Singers & Spirits: Revel OTR
Revel OTR Urban Winery
111 East 12th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals presents Singers & Spirits, an event series pairing festive beverages and performances by Cincinnati Opera artists at local wineries and breweries. The vibe is relaxed and the experience is unexpected—a perfect taste of opera. Admission includes one drink.
Admission: $20. For tickets, deals, and information, visit cincinnatiopera.org/young-professionals.
March 6, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Opera Rap: The Beatles Phenomenon
Woodward Theater
1404 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Inspired by Cincinnati Opera’s July 2024 world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, University of Cincinnati educator and local authority on The Beatles Dr. Om Srivastava will lead audience members on a journey into the creativity and worldwide impact of the Fab Four. With recordings, interviews, and photographs, Dr. Srivastava will trace the phenomenon of the Beatles from their early days in Liverpool and Hamburg to the epochal albums and worldwide tours (including two Cincinnati appearances!).
Admission: Free. Cash bar available. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org.
March 14, 2024, at 6 p.m.
Singers & Spirits: Oakley Wines
Oakley Wines
4011 Allston Street, Cincinnati, OH 45209
Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals presents Singers & Spirits, an event series pairing festive beverages and performances by Cincinnati Opera artists at local wineries and breweries. The vibe is relaxed and the experience is unexpected—a perfect taste of opera. Admission includes one drink.
Admission: $20. For tickets, deals, and information, visit cincinnatiopera.org/young-professionals.
March 28, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Opera Rap: Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio: Sneak Peek with the Creative Team
Cincinnati Opera Production Facility
7712 Reinhold Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45237
Audiences are invited to this exclusive glimpse into the creation of Cincinnati Opera’s world stage premiere production of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio. Director Caroline Clegg, designer Leslie Travers, and choreographer Michael Pappalardo will offer insights into their creative vision for this extraordinary new theatrical experience and share a guided first look at the production under construction.
Admission: Free. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org.
April 11, 2024, at 6 p.m.
Singers & Spirits: MadTree Alcove
The Loft at MadTree Alcove
1410 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals presents Singers & Spirits, an event series pairing festive beverages and performances by Cincinnati Opera artists at local wineries and breweries. The vibe is relaxed and the experience is unexpected—a perfect taste of opera. Admission includes one drink ticket and light bites.
Admission: $20. For tickets, deals, and information, visit cincinnatiopera.org/young-professionals.
April 17, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Opera Rap: Violetta’s Chosen Family
First Lutheran Church
1208 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
As a preview to Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 production of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, stage director Trevore Ross explores this beloved masterpiece as an ode to the outsider. When Verdi composed the opera in 1853, his life bore some similarities to that of his heroine, the Parisian courtesan Violetta Valéry; he was something of a social outcast, living unmarried with his lover, the opera star Giuseppina Strepponi. Through this lens, Ross will examine Violetta’s world and the friends with whom she surrounded herself. Were they members of high society, fellow demimondaines, or both? The evening will include excerpts performed by soprano Dana Pundt and tenor Pedro Barbosa.
Admission: Free. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org.
April 22 and 23, 2024, at 7 p.m.
Opera Goes to Church!
Zion Global Ministries
9180 Cincinnati Columbus Road, West Chester, OH 45069
Presented in partnership with Zion Global Ministries, Opera Goes to Church! blends gospel, jazz, and classical music to create a one-of-a-kind, dynamic community concert experience. The performances will feature acclaimed opera artists, Zion Global Ministries’ inspiring congregational choir, local musicians, and more.
Admission: Free. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org beginning January 12, 2024, at 12 p.m.
Support for Opera Goes to Church! is provided by Greater Cincinnati Foundation and the P&G Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
May 14, 2024, at 7 p.m.
Back to the Zoo
Wings of Wonder Theater at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220
Cincinnati Opera returns to its first home, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, where performances were held from 1920 to 1971. Come relive the magic of the Zoo Opera days with hosts Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera, and Thane Maynard, Director of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, along with a colorful cast of singers and zoo animals.
Admission: Free. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org beginning January 12, 2024, at 12 p.m.
Back to the Zoo is sponsored by The Unnewehr Foundation.
May 23, 2024, at 5 p.m.
Divas & Diamonds
Richter & Phillips Jewelers
601 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals host this kickoff event for the 2024 Summer Festival, presented in partnership with Richter & Phillips Jewelers. Young professionals and arts lovers of all ages are invited to celebrate Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 season like a diva, featuring drinks, delectable treats, dazzling diamonds, and opera arias. Admission includes drinks, light bites, and more.
Admission: $40-60. Tickets become available March 1, 2024; for tickets and information, visit cincinnatiopera.org/young-professionals.
June 3 and 5, 2024, at 7 p.m.
Opera Goes to Church!
Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church
9991 Wayne Avenue, Woodlawn, Ohio 45215
Presented in partnership with Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church, New Jerusalem Baptist Church, and Southern Baptist Church, Opera Goes to Church! blends gospel, jazz, and classical music to create a one-of-a-kind, dynamic community concert experience. The performances will feature acclaimed opera artists, the churches’ inspiring congregational choirs, local musicians, and more.
Admission: Free. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org beginning January 12, 2024, at 12 p.m.
Support for Opera Goes to Church! is provided by Greater Cincinnati Foundation and the P&G Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
June 9, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Opera in the Park
Washington Park
1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Celebrate the opening of Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Summer Festival with a magical evening of music under the setting sun. This free outdoor concert features a selection of opera and musical theater favorites performed by stars of Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Summer Festival, the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Preceding Opera in the Park, the Cincinnati Brass Institute will offer a special performance in Washington Park starting at 6 p.m.
Admission: Free. Tickets are not required, though registration is encouraged to receive event updates and weather alerts. To register, visit cincinnatiopera.org/opera-in-the-park.
June 18, 2024, at 8 p.m.
Studio Sessions: Jacqueline Echols McCarley
Wilks Studio at Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Before her appearances as Mary Dee in Cincinnati Opera’s world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, Metropolitan Opera soprano Jacqueline Echols McCarley will present “Soul and Spirit,” an intimate concert tracing her musical inspirations. Joined by Damien Sneed at the piano, McCarley takes audience members on an inspiring journey through some of the music that has shaped her, including sacred songs, spirituals, and hymns, as well as classical, gospel, and jazz.
Admission: $45 general admission; $60 reserved seating. For tickets and information, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org beginning April 1, 2024, at 12 p.m. 2024 Summer Festival subscribers may purchase in advance with their season ticket package.
July 2, 2024, at 8 p.m.
Studio Sessions: Elliot Madore
Wilks Studio at Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
After starring in Cincinnati Opera’s season-opening production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, world-renowned baritone Elliot Madore takes to Music Hall’s Wilks Studio for “A Portrait of the Artist as a Middle-Aged Man,” an autobiographical evening of song. Through stories and music, Madore will illuminate the contrast between his everyday life as a middle-aged man with his chaotic, exhilarating, and sometimes exasperating career as an international opera singer. Accompanying him will be pianist Kevin Miller.
Admission: $45 general admission; $60 reserved seating. For tickets and information, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org beginning April 1, 2024, at 12 p.m. 2024 Summer Festival subscribers may purchase in advance with their season ticket package.
July 11, 2024, at 8 p.m.
Studio Sessions: Jessica Rivera
Wilks Studio at Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Grammy-winning soprano Jessica Rivera, who appears as Donna Elvira in Cincinnati Opera’s season-opening production of Don Giovanni, returns to perform “Canciones de Mi Alma Latina: Songs of My Latin Soul,” an exploration of her musical career through the lens of her Peruvian-American heritage. Rivera will perform music by Osvaldo Golijov, Fernando Obradors, Manuel de Falla, Antonio de Salazar, and Federico Moreno Torroba, as well as operatic favorites by Puccini and Mozart. Joining Rivera is her longtime collaborator Mark Carver on piano.
Admission: $45 general admission; $60 reserved seating. For tickets and information, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org beginning April 1, 2024, at 12 p.m. 2024 Summer Festival subscribers may purchase in advance with their season ticket package.
About Cincinnati Opera
Cincinnati Opera’s mission is to enrich and connect our community through diverse opera experiences. Founded in 1920 and the second-oldest opera company in the nation, Cincinnati Opera presents a thrilling season of grand opera every summer and engaging programs throughout the year. The company’s repertoire includes beloved classics and contemporary masterworks brought to life by some of the world’s most dynamic performers and creative artists.
Cincinnati Opera is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. This project was supported in part by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts. Cincinnati Opera also receives general season support from The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust, and the Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation, along with general season and project support from many other generous individuals, corporations, and foundations. Cincinnati Opera is a proud member of OPERA America. Learn more at cincinnatiopera.org.
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