Set Designer

Continuing Glimmerglass’s proud tradition of sharing opera for and with young people, the 2026 season will feature a new production of Robin Hood, which Francesca Zambello commissioned for the Festival and directed in 2017. When the law of the land is corrupt, what’s an honest citizen to do? In the absence of the King, the Sheriff has seized the country’s assets for himself and his cronies. Robin Hood is the unlikely leader of a band of ordinary folks doing their best to survive in the forest until just rule returns to the land. This season, Robin Hood will take the mainstage at the Alice Busch Opera Theater, giving local youth performers the opportunity to collaborate with Festival artists and creative teams. 

Robin Hood

Alice Busch Opera Theater of Cooperstown 

Mozart’s sparkling comedy about love, loyalty, and deception takes on new life in an American college setting. Featuring an updated libretto in English by Kelley Rourke, this fresh adaptation directed by Eric Einhorn and conducted by Joseph Colaneri puts human nature to the test in an experiment that soon spins out of control — what happens when the game goes too far? With sharp humor and surprising twists, Così brings a contemporary edge to Mozart’s classic “school for lovers,” asking what women — and men — are really like.

Così

The Alice Busch Opera Theater

The show must go on, but how? For Canio and his traveling troupe, painted smiles and colorful costumes belie infidelity and betrayal. The façade is shattered when a hidden affair is revealed and a lighthearted night at the theater gives way to jealousy, suspicion, and ultimately violence. As the line between performance and reality blurs and the drama onstage begins to mirror the turmoil offstage, Pagliacci begs the question—does art imitate life, or does life imitate art?

EPSG:4326

Pagliacci

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

Academy Award-winning composer Rachel Portman’s The Little Prince opera brings Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beloved worldwide literary classic to life with enchanting melodies and heartfelt storytelling. Set against the backdrop of a whimsical yet emotional adventure, Portman’s music weaves a captivating tapestry of emotions, mirroring the wonder and innocence of the original story.

The Little Prince

Royal Theatre

The Glimmerglass Festival is thrilled to announce the world premiere of the youth opera "Rumpelstiltskin and the Unlovable Children," a captivating new work by Jens Ibsen with a libretto by Cecelia Raker. This enchanting opera, sung in English with projected English texts, unfolds the tale of a group of feral, so-called unlovable children living deep in the forest under the tyrannical care of the evil wizard Rumpelstiltskin. Tasked with endless chores, dental hygiene, and emotional sharing, these children find their mundane existence upended when Rumpelstiltskin shares a story that challenges their self-perceptions and unveils hidden truths about their identities.

Set against a backdrop of mystery and self-discovery, the opera follows Goldie, the eldest of the children, as she grapples with a life-altering revelation. Learning she is the long-lost daughter of a queen forced into marriage by the king, Goldie must choose between embracing a life of royalty she had only imagined or remaining with the unconventional family that has shown her unconditional acceptance.

This production, generously sponsored by Van Broughton Ramsey and Robert Nelson, with youth tickets sponsored by the Zambello Gay Tribute Fund, promises an hour of mesmerizing music, compelling narrative, and profound themes of identity and belonging. Directed by Joshua R. Horowitz, with choreography by Amanda Testini, costume design by Erik Teague, and set design by James Rotondo, the opera is a testament to the creative spirit of the Glimmerglass Festival.

Performances are scheduled for August 6, 8, and 11, 2024, offering a unique opportunity for audiences of all ages to engage with contemporary opera. Tickets are priced at $20, with free admission for youth 12 and under, making it an accessible cultural experience for families.

Join us at the Glimmerglass Festival for "Rumpelstiltskin and the Unlovable Children" and immerse yourself in a world of myth, mystery, and adventure. This summer, let your imagination soar and discover the power of stories to transform our understanding of ourselves and each other.

Rumpelstiltskin and the Unlovable Children

Alice Busch Opera Theater

Immerse yourself in a world where the lines between reality and performance blur at The Glimmerglass Festival's new production of "Pagliacci." This gripping opera, composed and with a libretto by Ruggero Leoncavallo, is sung in Italian with projected English texts, ensuring an accessible and deeply engaging experience for all attendees. Set against the backdrop of a traveling troupe of players, "Pagliacci" explores themes of love, jealousy, and the tragic consequences of blurred realities through its compelling narrative and emotionally charged music.

The festival proudly presents this opera from July 27 to August 18, 2024, offering a unique pre-opera experience, "Lyrics on the Lawn," an outdoor picnic performance that begins 40 minutes before the curtain rises. The mainstage performance, lasting 1 hour and 45 minutes, promises to captivate audiences with its intensity and dramatic depth.

Under the generous sponsorship of Elizabeth M. and Jean-Marie R. Eveillard, the production boasts a talented creative team, including conductor Joseph Colaneri, director Brenna Corner, choreographer Eric Sean Fogel, and a host of other skilled professionals dedicated to bringing this story to life.

The cast features Holly Adams as a Clown Performer/Consultant, Robert Stahley as Canio, Amber Monroe as Nedda, Troy Cook as Tonio, Jonathan Patton as Silvio, Fran Daniel Laucerica as Peppe, and a vibrant ensemble that adds depth and color to the performance.

Set in a village where a troupe of players arrives to perform, the opera unfolds a tale of love, betrayal, and vengeance that mirrors the drama of the characters' offstage lives. As the boundary between performance and reality dissolves, the audience is drawn into a powerful narrative that culminates in an unforgettable climax.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience this masterful blend of comedy, thriller, and tragedy at The Glimmerglass Festival. Secure your tickets now for a summer filled with myth, mystery, and adventure, and support the arts by becoming a part of the Glimmerglass community.

The Glimmerglass Festival

### Event Description: Pagliacci at The Glimmerglass Festival 2024

**Event:** Pagliacci  
**Dates:** July 27 - August 18, 2024  
**Location:** The Glimmerglass Festival, Cooperstown, NY  
**Tickets:** Available for purchase now

#### Overview:
Experience the gripping drama and passionate performances of Ruggero Leoncavallo’s *Pagliacci* at the 2024 Glimmerglass Festival. This new production of the beloved opera intertwines a farcical play performed by a troupe of clowns with a harrowing tale of jealous love, inspired by a true crime report. The immersive festival setting adds a unique third frame to the opera, featuring a pre-opera picnic performance, "Lyrics on the Lawn," on the outdoor stage.

#### Performance Details:
- **Music and Libretto:** Ruggero Leoncavallo
- **Language:** Sung in Italian with projected English text
- **Outdoor Picnic Performance:** 40 minutes, begins one hour before curtain
- **Mainstage Performance:** 1 hour and 45 minutes

#### Performance Dates:
- July 27 (matinee)
- July 29 (matinee)
- August 2
- August 6 (matinee)
- August 8
- August 10
- August 18 (matinee)

#### Creative Team:
- **Conductor:** Joseph Colaneri
- **Director:** Brenna Corner
- **Choreographer:** Eric Sean Fogel
- **Set Designer:** James Rotondo
- **Costume Designer:** Erik Teague
- **Lighting Designer:** Robert Wierzel
- **Hair & Makeup Designer:** Tom Watson
- **Chorus Director:** Katherine Kozak

#### Synopsis:
The opera begins with an aging Tonio recalling his days with a traveling commedia dell’arte troupe. The story unfolds as the troupe arrives in a village to perform. Canio, who plays Pagliaccio, becomes suspicious of his wife Nedda’s fidelity. The tension escalates when Tonio, rejected by Nedda, informs Canio of her affair with Silvio. The boundaries between the staged farce and real-life drama blur during the evening performance, leading to a tragic conclusion.

#### Cast:
- **Canio:** Robert Stahley
- **Nedda:** Amber Monroe
- **Tonio:** Troy Cook
- **Silvio:** Jonathan Patton
- **Peppe:** Fran Daniel Laucerica
- **Clown Performer/Consultant:** Holly Adams
- **Ensemble:** Henry Benson, Lauryn Davis, Benjamin Dickerson, SarahAnn Duffy, Saane Aziza Halaholo, Kaylan Hernandez, Emilie Kealani, Seiyoung Kim, Evan Lazdowski, Winona Martin, Tshilidzi Ndou, Daniel O’Hearn, Ajit Persaud, Namarea Randolph-Yosea, Alexandra Sanchez, Geoffrey Schmelzer, Tzytle Steinman, Joshua Thomas, Catherine Thornsley, Kyle Sanchez Tingzon, Ethel Trujillo, Zizhao Wang, Xiao Xiao
- **Dancers:** Kailee Brandt, Peter Murphy, Scout Santoro

#### Special Notes:
- **Generously Sponsored By:** Elizabeth M. and Jean-Marie R. Eveillard

Join us for an unforgettable summer of myth, mystery, and adventure at The Glimmerglass Festival. Secure your tickets now and be part of this extraordinary operatic experience.

**[Buy Tickets](#)**

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Glimmerglass Festival website.

Experience the vibrant fusion of jazz and opera with the Washington National Opera's latest production, "Songbird," at the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater from March 9 to March 23, 2024. This innovative adaptation of Jacques Offenbach’s "La Périchole" transports audiences to the roaring 1920s in New Orleans, a time of decadence, but also of hardship for singers and lovers Songbird and Piquillo. As Mardi Gras unfolds, the Mayor's tempting offer forces Songbird to choose between financial security and true love.

Featuring Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard and Tony-nominated leading man Ramin Karimloo, "Songbird" promises a captivating blend of operetta and jazz, with toe-tapping music, glamorous costumes, and a storyline filled with mistaken identities and comic twists. The production, adapted by Eric Sean Fogel, James Lowe, and Kelley Rourke, with musical arrangement and orchestration by James Lowe, and English lyrics and book by Kelley Rourke, brings a fresh perspective to Offenbach’s comedic love story, ensuring an unforgettable experience.

Performed in French and English with projected English titles, this new production, commissioned by The Glimmerglass Festival in 2021, showcases the irresistible charm of the classic opéra bouffe with a Frenchman Street flair. Don't miss your chance to be part of this unique musical journey—tickets are available in subscriptions, offering the best seats, maximum flexibility, and exclusive savings. Join us at the Kennedy Center for a performance that infuses the spirit of New Orleans into the heart of opera.

Songbird

Kennedy Center

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. 

The Knock

Cincinnati Music Hall

Visionary impresaria Mary Cardwell Dawson fights and triumphs as she establishes the National Negro Opera Company in Carlos Simon and Sandra Seaton’s new play with music.

She trained hundreds of African American youth to sing. She founded the longest-running, all-Black opera company. She organized opera guilds in the country’s biggest cities. Mary Cardwell Dawson’s dream to bring music to African American audiences came true—and it changed the future of opera.

The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson makes its highly anticipated mainstage premiere to celebrate the remarkable founder of the historic and groundbreaking National Negro Opera Company, established in 1941. Starring acclaimed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves in the title role, this play with music by Mark Twain Award-winning playwright Sandra Seaton includes selections from the repertory of the National Negro Opera Company and original music composed by Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence and 2023 Grammy nominee Carlos Simon.

The story starts in Washington, D.C. in 1943, where the company is set to perform on a floating barge to evade racially-segregated venues. But when bad weather threatens—pushing the performance to a segregated performance hall—Mary Cardwell Dawson must find a way forward.

Set Designer

James Rotondo

Events

Upcoming events

Jul 17 - Aug 14, 2026

Così · Glimmerglass Festival

2 - 7 Aug, 2026

Robin Hood · Glimmerglass Festival

Past events

2 - 7 Aug, 2026

Robin Hood · Glimmerglass Festival

Jul 17 - Aug 14, 2026

Così · Glimmerglass Festival

About

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