This hilarious one-act operatic comedy by Derrick Wang explores the unlikely friendship between U.S. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia. Their shared love of opera and humor sealed their bond as friends.

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Scalia/Ginsburg

Kentucky Opera

Scalia/Ginsburg is a comic opera written by lawyer  Derrick Wang that explores the lively, unexpected friendship between Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. When Scalia’s fiery dissents land him in a cosmic “prison,” his unlikely ally Ginsburg arrives to help him out (and, of course, debate along the way). Through musical sparring, legal philosophy, and wit, Scalia/Ginsburg celebrates two brilliant minds finding common ground—one opera aria at a time.

Marquette University

OperaDelaware presented Derrick Wang’s poignant and hilarious musical drama Scalia/Ginsburg in the 2019 festival. Delaware audiences are in for a treat as he returns to Wilmington for the world premiere of his newest opera: Fearless. 

FEARLESS: A world premiere

Grand Opera House

Wang's Scalia/Ginsburg! Hailed as “a dream come true” (Ruth Bader Ginsburg), a “perfect…jewel” (Opera Today), and “the kind of opera that should be everywhere” (OperaWire), Scalia/Ginsburg is a one-act operatic comedy about the unlikely friendship between U.S. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia — and the pivotal moment that would change the Supreme Court for years to come. This juristic double bill will also feature Gilbert & Sullivan’s one act gem, Trial by Jury. Artistic Director Josh Shaw’s and Kelsey N. Johnson's new libretto updates the setting from 1880s England to a 1980s divorce court.

Scalia/Ginsburg & Trial by Jury

Highland Park Ebell Club

Opera Ithaca presents the Scalia/Ginsburg opera, a unique and compelling performance that brings together the worlds of opera and civil discourse in an extraordinary showcase. This event is scheduled for Saturday, September 23, at 7:00 PM, and will take place at the prestigious Willard Straight Hall, located within Cornell University at 136 Ho Plaza, Ithaca.

"Scalia/Ginsburg" is an opera crafted by the talented Derrick Wang, which explores the unlikely friendship between two Supreme Court Justices who were known for their polar opposite political views. This performance is not just an opera but a celebration of unity, dialogue, and the power of art to bridge ideological divides. It is presented in collaboration with the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy at Cornell University, underscoring the importance of civil discourse in today's society.

The cast features Rachel Schutz as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Chad Kranak as Antonin Scalia, and Jesús Vicente Murillo as The Commentator, bringing to life the dynamic and respectful relationship between Ginsburg and Scalia. The creative team is led by Danielle Jagelski, serving as the conductor, and Ben Robinson, taking on the role of director, ensuring a production of the highest quality.

This event is proudly sponsored by the Biennial Cornell Brooks School Program, which aims to honor the legacies of Martin Ginsburg ’53 and Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’54. The program highlights policy issues significant to Justice Ginsburg and promotes artistic expressions that foster community and understanding. This initiative is made possible through the support of Christie and Jeff Weiss '79, enriching the lives of attendees, especially Cornell students, by emphasizing the values of empathy, respect, and intellectual engagement.

Please note that the performance on September 23rd is sold out, indicating the high demand and significant interest in this groundbreaking opera.

Willard Straight Hall

Scalia/Ginsburg is a clever and moving tribute to the extraordinary friendship between two of the most iconic Justices in American history, Justice Antonin Scalia and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Though often in sharp disagreement on the bench, they shared a deep and enduring bond rooted in a mutual love of opera, fine dining, and travel. The work weaves legal citations and excerpts from landmark opinions into recognizable melodies from the operatic canon, creating a tapestry of music and meaning that is at once playful and profound. It offers a powerful reminder that disagreement and respect can coexist. As the opera suggests, “We are different, we are one.”

Herberger Theater Center

Tucson Convention Center

One of the most talked-about contemporary operas of the past decade, Scalia/Ginsburg—the sharp-witted and unexpectedly touching comedy by American composer-librettist Derrick Wang—comes to the historic Ridglea Theater. This North Texas premiere brings one of opera’s most celebrated modern works to Fort Worth audiences.

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Since its 2015 debut, Scalia/Ginsburg has earned widespread acclaim for its wit, warmth, and surprising emotional depth. The late Ruth Bader Ginsburg herself famously called it “a dream come true,” while critics have praised it as a “perfect…jewel” (Opera Today) and “the kind of opera that should be everywhere” (OperaWire). The Los Angeles Times went even further, declaring: “Could we please make it a constitutional requirement that no one can be sworn into office in the White House or Congress without having first seen Scalia/Ginsburg?”

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This sharp-witted and unexpectedly moving opera explores the unlikely friendship between U.S. Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg—and the pivotal moment that would shape the Court for years to come. Directed by celebrated American director, writer, and producer Audrey Chait and conducted by Stephanie Rhodes Russell, Resident Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Associate Professor and Music Director of Opera at the University of North Texas, the production brings theatrical clarity, musical agility, and electric chemistry to this iconic pairing.

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Award-winning tenor Peter Scott Drackley embodies the formidable and incisive Scalia, while Metropolitan Opera and Broadway leading lady Jennifer Zetlan brings intelligence, wit, and commanding presence to the role of Ginsburg. Powerful lyric bass Andrew Simpson appears as the Commentator, a quick-tongued narrator who frames the action with comic precision and theatrical flair.

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The ensemble features musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth, whose artistry and precision provide a vibrant, intimate soundscape perfectly suited to Wang’s sparkling score, continuing a valued artistic collaboration into the 2026–2027 season.

Derrick Wang

Events

Upcoming events

Sep 26 - Oct 4, 2026

Scalia/Ginsburg · Arizona Opera

Nov 14, 2026

Scalia/Ginsburg · Fort Worth Opera

Past events

10 - 17 Apr, 2026

Scalia/Ginsburg · Kentucky Opera

18 - 20 Jul, 2025

Scalia/Ginsburg · The Florentine Opera

About

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