Stage Director

Director

Through a heartless marriage of convenience, American naval officer Lieutenant Pinkerton ensnares young Cio-Cio-San (Butterfly), leading her to a tragic and profoundly unjust fate. A masterpiece of Italian opera, Madame Butterfly‘s lush score and timeless exploration of love, betrayal, and cultural clash soars with operatic grandeur. The enduring power of Butterfly lies in its ability to touch the deepest corners of the human heart, leaving audiences devastated.

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Madame Butterfly

Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Get ready for an unforgettable, Picasso-esque look at Mozart’s masterpiece. Quick-witted Figaro hatches a plan to thwart the Count’s scheme to seduce his bride-to-be, Susanna. A comical riot of mistaken identities, disguises, and delightful chaos ensues. Secrets are revealed, but love triumphs with Mozart’s dazzling score and a fast-paced, brilliant exploration of class, love, and loyalty. Whether you are a seasoned opera lover or a newcomer, The Marriage of Figaro promises unending artistry, humor, and exhilaration through every note.

The Marriage of Figaro

The Barns At Wolf Trap

Experience the poignant tragedy and mesmerizing beauty of Giacomo Puccini's "Madame Butterfly" as it returns to the Austin Opera in April 2025. This heart-wrenching opera tells the story of the young geisha Cio-Cio-San, known as Butterfly, who is seduced and abandoned by the dashing U.S. Navy Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton. Set against the backdrop of early 20th century Japan, the opera explores themes of love, betrayal, and cultural clash.

The production features a talented cast including soprano Raquel González as Cio-Cio-San, tenor Joseph Dennis as Pinkerton, and mezzo-soprano Kristen Choi as Suzuki, Butterfly’s loyal friend. Conducted by Timothy Myers and directed by E. Loren Meeker, this collaboration between Austin Opera and Opera San Antonio promises a stunning and traditional rendition of the classic opera.

Performances are scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. This groundbreaking partnership highlights the artistic resources of both companies, beginning in San Antonio on April 17, 2024, before moving to Austin.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness one of opera's most heartbreaking stories brought to life on stage. Subscribe today, and mark your calendars for the sale of single tickets on Thursday, September 5, 2024. Join us for a performance that promises to be a highlight of the 2024-2025 season at the Austin Opera.

The Long Center for the Performing Arts

This powerful opera is the passionately moving tale of a young Japanese woman's unrequited love for an American sailor. Puccini’s lush score is rich with so many memorable moments it has become a beloved favorite with audiences worldwide. Set against a backdrop of cultural contrasts, this opera explores the devastating aftermath of love forsaken and the consequences of unwavering trust.

Madama Butterfly

Tobin Center For The Performing Arts

Handel's charming and most performed opera since its creation, Acis & Galatea, tells a tale of love, jealousy, and mythological mischief. Director Meeker describes this production as “visual poetry”.  Imagine a shepherd falling for a sea nymph, only for a mythical cyclops to crash their love story. Fountains sprout from a lover’s tragic murder, adding a splash of resolution to heartbreak.

Acis & Galatea

Marcus Performing Arts Center

Acis & Galatea, Handel's charming and most performed opera since its creation, tells a tale of love, jealousy, and mythological mischief. Join us for an opportunity to hear from our stage director, conductor, and lead tenor about this production described as this production as “visual poetry”.

Versed: Acis & Galatea

Wayne and Kristine Lueders Opera Center

One of the most iconic, romantic, and tragic stories of all time. Scandalous love between a courtesan, the iconic Violetta, and an upper crust young man blissfully blooms until societal expectations force her to confront what sacrifices she is willing to make in exchange for his honor. This exquisite, traditional staging of one of the art form’s most popular operas flourishes with the passion, hope and costs of love.

La Traviata

Orpheum Tower

Christmas Eve, Paris, an attic garret...that first touch of cold hands in the dark as the music swells. Against the backdrop of 19th century Paris, the hopes and dreams of a group of young bohemians collide with the realities of poverty and disease. Whether it is your first or your hundredth experience, La bohème never fails to cast its spell. Packed with some of opera’s most cherished moments, this tale of tragic young love became the basis for the popular musicals Moulin Rouge and Rent. With a ravishing score that brought Puccini international fame, this is the perfect opera for first-timers and aficionados alike.

2023 La bohème

Alice Busch Opera Theater

Verdi's Rigoletto has often been called the greatest of all operas. Filled with famous arias, it is also a powerful drama about a flawed father's love. Rigoletto, the Duke's joker, has always willingly gone along with the Duke's abuses of power--until his own daughter falls victim to the Duke's charms.

Rigeletto

Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

Welcome to the Buoso ranch, Texas, where the patriarch has just died and everyone suddenly has very strong opinions about his will. With only a small window of time to scheme, the family spirals into greed, chaos, and some extremely bad behavior—complicated further by a case of inconvenient young love. Enter Gianni Schicchi, whose clever plan might save the day or blow it all up. 

Gianni Schicchi 2026

Alverno College

Violetta is the life of the party! As the most sought-after courtesan in Paris, she has it all: fame, fortune, and influence—but love will cost her everything. While entertaining Parisian socialites at one of her fashionable salons, she meets the young Alfredo, a man of good family and rigid social expectations.

Stage Director, Director

E. Loren Meeker

Events

Upcoming events

5 - 7 Mar, 2027

Gianni Schicchi 2026 · The Florentine Opera

18 - 24 Apr, 2027

La traviata · Austin Opera

Past events

14 - 16 Nov, 2025

Madame Butterfly · Lyric Opera of Kansas City

20 - 28 Jun, 2025

The Marriage of Figaro · Wolf Trap Opera

About

E. Loren Meeker hasn't added a bio