Armando Contreras as Lt. Roberto Gonzalez in The Knock. Courtesy of the Glimmerglass Festival.
A new opera about the lives of U.S. military wives
Performances run June 23–July 7, and half of all performances are currently sold out
Cincinnati, Ohio—In response to popular demand, Cincinnati Opera will offer an additional performance of the powerful new opera, The Knock, as part of its 2023 Summer Festival. Composed by Aleksandra Vrebalov with a libretto by Deborah Brevoort, The Knock offers a glimpse into the sacrifices made by U.S. military wives on the home front while their spouses are deployed. Cincinnati Opera presents the world stage premiere of The Knock, with performances beginning on Friday, June 23. Limited seating is available through Friday, July 7. Visit cincinnatiopera.org for more information.
The Knock Updated Performance Schedule:
Friday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. (sold out)
Tuesday, June 27 at 7:30 p.m. (sold out)
Sunday, July 2 at 3 p.m. (sold out)
Wednesday, July 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 7 at 3 p.m. (newly-added performance)
Friday, July 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Location:
Cincinnati Music Hall, Wilks Studio
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Tickets:
$75 admission; special pricing is available for U.S. military members and seniors, with week-of special pricing for full-time students. For information, visit cincinnatiopera.org or call 513-241-2742.
About The Knock:
Drawn from interviews with dozens of military spouses, The Knock tells the story of a group of U.S. military wives awaiting news of their husbands who have been deployed to Iraq. As they wait, a young Army officer makes the long journey to their gathering place to deliver difficult news.
The Knock was co-commissioned by Cincinnati Opera and the Glimmerglass Festival, and Cincinnati Opera’s production this summer marks its world stage premiere. The cast features baritone Armando Contreras as Lt. Roberto Gonzalez, soprano Mary-Hollis Hundley as Joella “Jo” Jenner, mezzo-soprano Briana Elyse Hunter as Aishah McNair, mezzo-soprano Stephanie Sanchez as Alto/Commanding Officer’s Wife, soprano Felicity Tomkins as Soprano 1, and soprano Erin Keesy as Soprano 2. Alison Moritz directs, with scenic design by Jimmy Rotondo, costume design by Trevor Bowen, lighting design by Thomas C. Hase, and wig and makeup design by James Geier. At the podium is conductor Stephanie Rhodes Russell leading the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
About Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival:
Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival runs June 22 through July 29 and features: Gaetano Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor (June 22 and 24), the world stage premiere of The Knock by Aleksandra Vrebalov and Deborah Brevoort (June 23–July 7), Studio Sessions (July 12 and 19), Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville (July 6 and 8), and Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly (July 22, 27, and 29).
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 also receives general season support from Chavez Properties, the Ohio Arts Council, The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust, the Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts, along with general season and project support from many other generous individuals, corporations, and foundations. Supporters of The Knock include Lead Sponsor Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust and Veteran Community Outreach Partner Disabled American Veterans. The company debut of Stephanie Rhodes Russell was partially supported by OPERA America’s Opera Grants for Women Stage Directors and Conductors, generously funded by the Marineau Family Foundation. 2023 Media Partner is Classical 90.9 WGUC. Cincinnati Opera is a proud member of OPERA America. To learn more, visit cincinnatiopera.org.
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THE KNOCK
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 