Category Archives: opera

MADAME BUTTERFLY
Cincinnati Opera
July 22-29
Music Hall Springer Auditorium [Over-the-Rhine]

Cincinnati Opera presents Puccini’s heartrending tragedy Madame Butterfly from a bold new point of view. In this groundbreaking new production created by an all-Japanese and Japanese American creative team, Butterfly’s story is transported to a fantastical modern-day realm where reality and dreams intersect. Enter the world of naval officer B.F. Pinkerton, who treats Japan as his playground. He’s taken a nearly thousand-year lease on a house and will marry a young girl named Cio-Cio-San, known as Madame Butterfly. But is it merely a fantasy? For Butterfly, vows are not to be taken lightly. As Pinkerton’s intentions are revealed, Butterfly’s dreams become a tragedy of limitless depths with no going back. Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

• Sat, July 22 at 7:30pm
• Thu, July 27 at 7:30pm
• Sat, July 29 at 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook event |

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE
Cincinnati Opera
July 2-9
Music Hall Springer Auditorium [Over-the-Rhine]

Supreme silliness ensues when Figaro, Seville’s most beloved barber, plays matchmaker for his former employer, Count Almaviva. The Count loves Rosina, but she’s the ward of the devious Doctor Bartolo, who has designs on wedding her himself. To win Rosina’s heart, the Count enlists Figaro to cook up disguises, double dealings, and deceits to fool old Bartolo and set Rosina free. Rossini’s beloved comedy reminds us that sometimes, on the path to true love, the last thing you want to be is yourself. Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

• Thu, July 6 at 7:30pm
• Sat, July 8 at 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook event |

THE KNOCK
Cincinnati Opera
June 19-July 7
Music Hall Wilks Studio [Over-the-Rhine]

A group of military wives gathers after rumors of a possible incident on the battlefront. Their husbands are fighting the war in Fallujah. Meanwhile, a young Army officer makes the long journey to their gathering place. Named for the expression military spouses use for notifications of death, The Knock explores what must be endured by the loved ones of those who serve. Based on years of interviews with real spouses of American soldiers, this new opera tells dramatic stories of heroism that often go unheard, tragedies that go far beyond the conflict. Sung in English with projected lyrics.

• Fri, June 23 at 7:30pm SOLD OUT
• Tue, June 27 aT 7:30pm SOLD OUT
• Sun, July 2 at 3pm SOLD OUT
• Wed, July 5 at 7:30pm
• Fri, July 7 at 3pm & 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook event |

LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR
Cincinnati Opera
June 22-24
Music Hall [Over-the-Rhine]

The heart wants what the heart wants. At Scotland’s Lammermoor Castle, Lucia and Edgardo are entwined in a forbidden romance. Despite their families’ age-old feud, they vow to give everything up for love. But Lucia’s disapproving brother Enrico endeavors to undo the lovers’ promise and marry Lucia off in a more lucrative pairing. The deception becomes a curse, leading Lucia and Edgardo to make terrible new vows once hope for love is lost. Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

• Thu, June 22 at 7:30pm
• Sat, June 24 at 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook event |