Tag Archives: Cincinnati Opera

December 19, 2024 · 5:16 pm

Cincinnati Opera Announces 2025 Opera Raps Series

Discover the stories behind the works featured during
Cincinnati Opera’s 2025 Summer Festival

CINCINNATI (December 18, 2024)—Cincinnati Opera announces the return of its popular Opera Raps series, offering audiences a fascinating exploration of the history, controversy, and personalities behind the works featured during its 2025 Summer Festival. Led by Cincinnati Opera’s Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director Evans Mirageas along with special guest artists, the four-part series runs from January 8 through April 3, 2025, and delves into Rigoletto, Tosca, and Fiddler on the Roof with exclusive performances, stories, and insights. See below for details.

Cincinnati Opera
2025 OPERA RAPS CALENDAR

January 8, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Opera Houses Lost and Found: A Season Preview
Wilks Studio, Cincinnati Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

The works featured during Cincinnati Opera’s 2025 Summer Festival—Rigoletto, Tosca, and Fiddler on the Roof—received their world or US premieres in New York City opera houses and theaters. Join Evans Mirageas and guest artists to trace the histories of these productions tied to historic and now-mostly-vanished venues. With exclusive video and live performances, they’ll share the stories of how these works came to be in America.Admission: Free. Reservations are available beginning December 18 at noon; call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org.

February 12, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Rigoletto: Banned at the Box Office
Mercantile Library
414 Walnut Street, Suite 1100, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Though Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto now occupies a secure position in the operatic canon, at its premiere, it was the subject of significant controversy and censorship. The source material for the libretto had already been banned in France: the drama Le roi s’amuse by Victor Hugo. Determined to adapt the play into an opera, Verdi fought at every turn to preserve the power of the story and integrity of the source material, with varying degrees of success. Join in this exploration of Rigoletto, as well as Verdi’s other hotly contested operas, featuring special musical performances.

Admission: Free. Reservations are available beginning December 18 at noon; call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org.

March 12, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Tosca: A Roman Evening
Cincinnati Opera Production Facility
7712 Reinhold Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45237

Throughout Giacomo Puccini’s opera Tosca, the city of Rome plays an ever-present role. The opera is set among iconic Roman landmarks like the Castel Sant’Angelo and Palazzo Farnese, and even includes music in the Roman dialect. Evans Mirageas and featured artists will lead guests on a musical tour of Rome, interweaving music from Tosca with classic Roman songs.

Admission: Free. Reservations are available beginning December 18 at noon; call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org.

April 3, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Fiddler on the Roof: The Songs That Got Away
The Amberley Room, Mayerson JCC
8485 Ridge Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236

The beloved musical Fiddler on the Roof is full of classic tunes like “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.” The creators of the show—Jerry Bock (music), Sheldon Harnick (lyrics), and Joseph Stein (book)—were so prolific that they also produced many songs that did not make the final cut. Evans Mirageas and musical guests will serve as guides through the forgotten songs of Fiddler on the Roof, including hits from the show as we know it today and surprises from the archives.

Admission: Free. Reservations are available beginning December 18 at noon; call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org.

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 member of OPERA America. Learn more at cincinnatiopera.org.

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December 11, 2024 · 5:54 pm

Cincinnati Opera and CCM to Host Free, Public Preview of LALOVAVI

A new opera by Kevin Day and Tifara Brown, on February 1, 2025, as part of Opera Fusion: New Works partnership

Commissioned by Cincinnati Opera, LALOVAVI will receive its world premiere in 2026

CINCINNATI (December 11, 2024)—Cincinnati Opera and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) invite the public to a free preview of Lalovavi, a new opera by composer Kevin Day and librettist Tifara Brown.

Taking place February 1, 2025, the event is part of CCM and Cincinnati Opera’s creative partnership, Opera Fusion: New Works (OF:NW), and will feature a performance of excerpts from Acts II and III of the opera, following a May 2024 performance that highlighted Act I. This event marks an exciting milestone in the development of Lalovavi, which will premiere in summer 2026 as part of Cincinnati Opera’s trailblazing Black Opera Project.

Lalovavi is an Afrofuturist opera set 400 years into the future. It follows the journey of Persephone, the youngest teenage daughter of the Primus of Atlas, formerly the city of Atlanta. Currency and status in Atlas are determined based on the presence of Syndica, a rare gene that promotes vitality and longevity. When Persephone is found to possess this gene, she is betrayed by her family and must run for her life. She is thrust into an epic adventure, uncovering a hidden past that leads her to discover love’s true meaning and the power to determine her own destiny.

Opera Fusion: New Works (OF:NW) is co-directed by Robin Guarino, professor of opera at CCM, and Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera, and provides composers and librettists the opportunity to collaborate with singers and creative personnel to refine their operas-in-progress. Lalovavi will receive a 10-day workshop, during which Day and Brown will work alongside stage director and dramaturg Kimille Howard, conductor Kevin Miller, and a cast of singers to further develop the work, culminating in the performance of excerpts.

EVENT DETAILS

What:
Opera Fusion: New Works presents Lalovavi

When and Where:
Saturday, February 1, 2025 | 2 p.m.
Wilks Studio at Cincinnati Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Tickets:
Admission is free, though seating is limited and reservations are required. Reservations are available by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org.

About Opera Fusion: New Works
Funded through a generous gift from the Mellon Foundation, Opera Fusion: New Works (OF:NW) is a partnership between Cincinnati Opera and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) dedicated to fostering the development of new American operas. This collaboration is jointly led by Robin Guarino, professor of opera at CCM, and Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera. OF:NW offers composers or composer/librettist teams the opportunity to workshop an opera during a residency in Cincinnati. Residencies utilize the facilities, personnel, and talent of both Cincinnati Opera and CCM. The workshops are cast with a combination of CCM students and professional artists, and each workshop concludes with a free public presentation of excerpts followed by an audience Q&A session. For more information, visit ofnw.org.

About CCM
Nationally ranked and internationally renowned, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is a preeminent institution for the performing and media arts. The school’s educational roots date back to 1867, and a solid, visionary instruction has been at its core since that time. CCM offers 10 degree types (BA, BFA, BM, MA, MFA, MM, MME, AD, DMA, PhD) in nearly 120 possible majors, along with a wide variety of pre-collegiate and post-graduate programs and workshops. The college also offers a new graduate certificate in Music Pedagogy and two academic minors (Media Production, Music).
Declared a top college vocal program by Backstage Magazine and described as “one of the continent’s major music schools,” by the Toronto Star, CCM’s Departments of Opera and Voice provide one of the most comprehensive training programs for opera singers, coaches, and directors in the United States. CCM offers an international faculty of dedicated educators who are also celebrated professionals in their own right, widely and currently active in their respective fields. Several national opera companies hold auditions at the conservatory, and CCM students frequently advance to the final rounds of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. CCM graduates have performed on the stages of the world’s greatest opera companies, including Cincinnati Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Royal Opera (London), La Scala (Italy), and more. CCM Voice and Opera program support is provided by the Mellon Foundation for Opera Fusion: New Works, The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, and the Patricia A. Corbett Estate. Additional support for CCM’s undergraduate opera productions is provided by Rafael and Kimberly de Acha. Guest directors for the 2024-25 season are supported by the Bacchus Legacy Foundation. To learn more, visit ccm.uc.edu.

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. Opera Fusion: New Works and The Black Opera Project receive generous funding from the Mellon Foundation. Lead funder for Lalovavi is the David C. Herriman Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation. 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 member of OPERA America. Learn more at cincinnatiopera.org.

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October 31, 2024 · 8:11 am

Cincinnati Opera Announces its 2025 Summer Festival, Including an All-New Production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

The company’s 105th anniversary season also features Verdi’s Rigoletto, Puccini’s Tosca, and the return of Studio Sessions

Performances take place June 12 through July 27, 2025, at Cincinnati’s historic Music Hall

CINCINNATI (October 30, 2024)—Cincinnati Opera’s Christopher Milligan, The Harry Fath General Director & CEO, and Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, have unveiled details for the company’s 2025 Summer Festival, its 105th anniversary season.

Next summer, Cincinnati Opera will present one of the world’s all-time favorite musicals, Fiddler on the Roof, in a brand-new production. Also featured will be a new-to-Cincinnati production of Rigoletto, Giuseppe Verdi’s tragic story of vengeance gone wrong, and a revival of the company’s production of Tosca, Giacomo Puccini’s gripping tale of love, betrayal, and political intrigue. Rounding out the 2025 Summer Festival is the return of Studio Sessions, a series of intimate, artist-curated concerts presented cabaret-style. Performances run from June 12 through July 27, 2025, at Cincinnati Music Hall (1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202).

The 2025 Summer Festival also marks Evans Mirageas’s 20th season as Cincinnati Opera’s artistic director. Said Mirageas, “For our 105th summer of opera and my 20th with this extraordinary company, we’re excited to offer opera as a catalyst for connection, both with oneself and one’s community. From the affecting emotional landscapes of Tosca and Rigoletto to the life-affirming message of Fiddler on the Roof to the soul-stirring intimacy of Studio Sessions, the 2025 season offers experiences that will resonate deeply with the spirit and illuminate our shared humanity.”

Said Christopher Milligan, “We’re thrilled to invite audiences to experience our 2025 Summer Festival, a season that reflects our commitment to both tradition and exploration. We aspire to offer accessible points of entry to enjoy opera, and we hope that productions like Fiddler on the Roof alongside classics like Rigoletto and Tosca, plus our Studio Sessions series, will open the doors of Music Hall to all who are curious about exploring this inspiring art form.”

Cincinnati Opera

2025 Summer Festival

Rigoletto

Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave

Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 14, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Springer Auditorium | Cincinnati Music Hall
Sung in Italian with projected English translation

Opening the 2025 Summer Festival is Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto. Set in a corrupt 16th-century court, the opera follows the tragic story of the jester Rigoletto, whose attempt to protect his daughter, Gilda, from the immoral Duke of Mantua spirals into a harrowing tale of betrayal and revenge. Known for its riveting drama and unforgettable music including the iconic aria “La donna è mobile,” Rigoletto reminds us that fate cannot be fooled.

Singing the title role is baritone Michael Chioldi, who enjoyed recent successes as Rigoletto at The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, and Austin Opera; said Broadway World, “Not only does he give us every note in his beautiful baritone, he makes us feel his love, anger, pain, and grief at every moment.” His daughter, Gilda, will be sung by soprano Kathryn Lewek, of whom the New York Times said, “Singing like Lewek’s is what the magic of opera is all about.” Appearing as the Duke of Mantua is Zach Borichevsky, who was praised as possessing a “tenor [with] a magical brilliance that brought goosebumps” (Music City Review). As the assassin Sparafucile, Cincinnati Opera Artistic Advisor Morris Robinson brings his “booming, focused bass” that lends “chilling effectiveness” (ArtsATL) to the role.

This new-to-Cincinnati production from The Atlanta Opera, originally directed by Tomer Zvulun, features scenic design by John Conklin, costume design by Vita Tzykun, lighting design by Thomas C. Hase, and hair and makeup design by James Geier. John Fiore will conduct the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Henri Venanzi will lead the Cincinnati Opera Chorus.

Tosca

Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa

Thursday, June 26, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 28, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Springer Auditorium | Cincinnati Music Hall
Sung in Italian with projected English translation

The season continues with Puccini’s glorious ode to undying love, Tosca. Floria Tosca, a passionate singer, is caught in a dangerous triangle between her lover, the artist Cavaradossi, and the villainous police chief, Scarpia. As tensions escalate, Tosca must confront her deepest fears and make an agonizing choice to save the man she loves. With its gripping drama and stirring music, Tosca remains one of opera’s most compelling works.

Following her extraordinary company debut as Cio-Cio-San in Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 production of Madame Butterfly, soprano Karah Son returns to Music Hall to sing Tosca; The Guardian (U.K.) has lauded her Tosca as “forceful and convincing … Son brings a potent dignity and sense of agency to the role.” Matthew White returns to Cincinnati Opera with his “elegant tenor capable of exciting high notes” (Cincinnati Business Courier) in his role debut as Cavaradossi. Appearing as Scarpia is baritone Anthony Clark Evans, who most recently moved Cincinnati audiences with his affecting portrayal of Germont in the company’s 2024 production of La Traviata.

Cincinnati Opera will revive its celebrated production of Tosca featuring stage direction by Jose Maria Condemi, scenic and costume design by Robert Perdziola, lighting design by Thomas C. Hase, and hair and makeup design by James Geier. Conductor Clelia Cafiero makes her U.S. debut leading the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Henri Venanzi directs the Cincinnati Opera Chorus.

Fiddler on the Roof

Based on Sholem Aleichem stories by special permission of Arnold Perl
Music by Jerry Bock | Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick | Book by Joseph Stein
Produced on the New York stage by Harold Prince
Original New York stage production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 25, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 27, 2025 | 3 p.m.
Springer Auditorium | Cincinnati Music Hall
Sung in English with projected lyrics

Winner of nine Tony Awards, Fiddler on the Roof tells the story of Tevye, a milkman in a small Russian village, who struggles to uphold his family’s traditions in a rapidly changing world. As his daughters grow up and challenge age-old customs, Tevye must navigate the tension between honoring the past and embracing the future. Through its exploration of love, tradition, and resilience, Fiddler on the Roof captures the universal struggle of families facing change.

“Fiddler on the Roof has been a global sensation since its Broadway premiere in 1964,” said Evans Mirageas. “We believe this piece is perfectly suited for the operatic stage. With its sweeping symphonic score, richly crafted roles, and emotional depth, it’s a natural fit for the talents of our extraordinary cast, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera Chorus, and Cincinnati Ballet. Our production will give this classic new life, celebrating its vibrancy and universality.”

Max Hopp will make his U.S. debut as Tevye, a role he has performed to acclaim in Europe; said the New York Times of his portrayal, “Max Hopp carried most of the evening. … [His] performance peeled back the character’s many layers and identities—Everyman, fool, pious Jew, paterfamilias—without ever reducing him to a single one.” With “singing and acting [that] radiate intensity” (Opera News), GRAMMY Award-winning mezzo-soprano Victoria Livengood makes her company debut as Golde, Tevye’s wife. Their daughters, Tzeitel, Hodel, and Chava, will be sung by sopranos Rachel Kobernick, Rachel Blaustein, and Jennifer Zetlan. The cast also includes mezzo-soprano Janice Mayerson as Yente, baritone Simon Barrad as Perchik, and vocalist Sarah Folsom as Fruma Sarah.

Cincinnati Opera’s new production will be directed by Crystal Manich and will feature scenic design by Andrew Boyce, costume design by Chad Phillips, lighting design by Thomas C. Hase, hair and makeup design by James Geier, and choreography by Michael Pappalardo, featuring dancers from Cincinnati Ballet. Levi Hammer will conduct the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Henri Venanzi will lead the Cincinnati Opera Chorus.

Fiddler on the Roof is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Studio Sessions

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 | 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 10, 2025 | 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 17, 2025 | 8 p.m.
Wilks Studio | Cincinnati Music Hall

Beyond the mainstage, Cincinnati Opera will host three Studio Sessions in Music Hall’s Wilks Studio, each offering an artist-curated, up-close, and personal performance experience. These intimate concerts will immerse audiences in a unique atmosphere where artists take center stage, guiding the evening through storytelling and song. Studio Sessions provide a rare opportunity to connect with opera in a way that feels both fresh and deeply personal. Featured artists and programming will be announced at a later date.

Casts, Community Programs, and Tickets

Full season casting and community programming for the 2025 Summer Festival will be shared in early 2025. Subscriptions for Cincinnati Opera’s 2025 Summer Festival are now available and start at $105. Tickets to individual performances go on sale April 1, 2025, and start at $36. Discounts are available for seniors, educators, U.S. veterans and active military personnel, full-time students, ArtsWave ArtsPass members, and SNAP cardholders. For more information, visit cincinnatiopera.org or contact the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742.

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. Cincinnati Opera receives funding from 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 member of OPERA America. Learn more at cincinnatiopera.org.

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October 9, 2024 · 3:42 pm

Cincinnati Opera Announces New Board Officers, Trustees, and Associate Members

CINCINNATI (Oct. 7, 2024)—Cincinnati Opera announces the election of officers for its board of trustees for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, as well as the addition of nine trustees and two Cincinnati Opera Board Associates.

Officers were elected at Cincinnati Opera’s Annual Meeting on September 18, 2024, and will serve one-year terms. They include:

  • President Ronald T. Bates, Managing Director, 1919 Investment Counsel
  • Chair Melanie M. Chavez, Partner, Chavez Properties
  • Treasurer Robert Bitter, Partner, Deloitte & Touche
  • Secretary Charles E. Baverman III, Partner, Dinsmore & Shohl

Also as of the Annual Meeting, new trustees and new members of the Cincinnati Opera Board Associates, a subsidiary of the board of trustees composed of young professionals, began their three-year terms.

New trustees include:

  • Aine Baldwin, Senior Attorney, The Kroger Co.
  • Onassis Caneris, M.D., interventional pain management specialist, Riverhills Neuroscience
  • Kristy Davis-Mustain, Employee Engagement and Internal Communications Manager, Johnson & Johnson MedTech
  • Mike Kelly, founder and principal advisor, Kelly Financial Planning, LLC
  • Helen Kemp, R&D Director, Disruptive Innovation and Feminine Wellness Platform, Procter & Gamble
  • Bo-Kyung Kim Kirby, retired, Northern Kentucky University
  • Tarita Preston, professional life and leadership coach
  • Cristina Rugg, Senior Brand Manager, Procter & Gamble
  • Ann Santen, retired, 90.9 WGUC

New Board Associates include:

  • Sawyer Clifton, Account Executive, Integrity Express Logistics
  • Nicolette Rader, Engagement Officer, Cincinnati Parks Foundation

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. Cincinnati Opera receives funds from the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts. The company 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 member of OPERA America. Learn more at cincinnatiopera.org.

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October 3, 2024 · 10:21 am

90.9 WGUC to Broadcast Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 SUMMER FESTIVAL on Sunday Evenings in November

CINCINNATI (Oct. 2, 2024)—Relive the magic of Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Summer Festival on Sunday evenings this November when 90.9 WGUC, Cincinnati’s classical public radio station, broadcasts performances from Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 season. Each broadcast will begin at 8 p.m. ET and can be heard locally on air at 90.9 FM and online at wguc.org.

Opening scene of Cincinnati Opera’s production of Paul McCartney’s LIVERPOOL ORATORIO. Photo by Philip Groshong.

Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Summer Festival took place June 13–July 27, 2024, at Cincinnati’s historic Music Hall. The operas to be broadcast include Don Giovanni, La Traviata, and Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio. For additional details, please visit wguc.org.

CINCINNATI OPERA’S 2024 SUMMER FESTIVAL ON 90.9 WGUC
Broadcast Schedule:

Sunday, November 3 | 8 p.m. ET
DON GIOVANNI
Originally performed June 13 and 15, 2024, at Cincinnati Music Hall

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte Dame Jane Glover, conductor; Alison Moritz, stage director
Featuring Elliot Madore, Jessica Faselt, Jessica Rivera, Aaron Blake, Christian Pursell, Erin Keesy, Joseph Parrish, Patrick Guetti; Cincinnati Opera Chorus; Cincinnati Ballet; Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Description:
Mozart’s riveting masterpiece follows Don Giovanni, a man who uses people without a care for their hearts, or the consequences. All the while, the Don’s servant Leporello records his master’s misdeeds. By killing the father of a woman he’s attacked, Giovanni sets in motion events that could lead to his end. Will he get away with his unrepentant pursuit of selfish desire, or will there be hell to pay?

Sunday, November 10 | 8 p.m. ET
LA TRAVIATA
Originally performed June 27, 28, and 30, 2024, at Cincinnati Music Hall

Music by Giuseppe Verdi; libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
Lorenzo Passerini, conductor; Trevore Ross, stage director
Featuring Gilda Fiume, Santiago Ballerini, Anthony Clark Evans, Taylor-Alexis Dupont, Demetrious Sampson, Jr., Mike Young, Thomas Dreeze, Samuel Smith, Tanya Harris, Ivan Griffin; Cincinnati Opera Chorus; Cincinnati Ballet; Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Description:
Alfredo wants to be with Violetta, but they come at love from different sides. Alfredo toasts to true love, affection that endures, while Violetta celebrates desires that are fun, free, and fleeting. Persuaded to try another way of life, she agrees to stop playing games. But old habits die hard. Featuring one of opera’s ultimate soprano roles, La Traviata explores the passions and pitfalls of the heart. Will Violetta find love that lasts, before it’s too late?

Sunday, November 17 | 8 p.m. ET
Paul McCartney’s LIVERPOOL ORATORIO
Originally performed July 18, 20, 21, 25, and 27, 2024, at Cincinnati Music Hall

Music and lyrics by Paul McCartney and Carl Davis
Joseph Young, conductor; Caroline Clegg, stage director
Featuring Andrew Owens, Jacqueline Echols McCarley, Kayleigh Decker, Kevin Short; Cincinnati Opera Chorus; Cincinnati Boychoir; Cincinnati Ballet; Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Description:
Memories from Paul McCartney’s life in Liverpool, England, inspire this story of growing up and finding our way. Beginning with Latin text that means “not for ourselves, but for the whole world were we born,” Liverpool Oratorio explores formative moments, relationships, and the responsibilities we accept. Cincinnati Opera proudly presents the world-premiere stage adaptation of McCartney’s acclaimed 1991 work for orchestra, chorus, and soloists. It’s a powerful story, full of heartfelt lyrics and soaring melodies, presented in a brand-new stage production.

2024 Cincinnati Opera Broadcast Supporters
Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Summer Festival broadcasts on 90.9 WGUC are made possible through the generous cooperation of Local 1, the Cincinnati chapter of the American Federation of Musicians, and the American Guild of Musical Artists. Thanks go to the Louis and Louise Nippert Charitable Foundation; H.B., E.W., and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee; and The Willard and Jean Mulford Charitable Fund and The Victoria L. Memmel Charitable Fund of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation for their support of WGUC’s broadcasts of the Cincinnati Opera.

About Cincinnati Public Radio
90.9 WGUC, Cincinnati’s classical public radio station, part of Cincinnati Public Radio, has been home to classical music and the arts in the Greater Cincinnati community for more than 60 years. Presenting the finest from the classical music canon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with special features like Classics for Kids and New at Noon, WGUC also records and broadcasts performances by the Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, May Festival, and other local performing groups.

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. Cincinnati Opera receives funds from the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts. Lead sponsor for Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio is Western & Southern Financial Group. The company 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 member of OPERA America. Learn more at cincinnatiopera.org.

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