Name: La Traviata
Start: 2026-04-26T14:00:00
Location: Ohio Theatre

Opera Columbus is set to captivate audiences with a diverse lineup of tantalizing performances and competitions. From the comedic escapades of 'The Marriage of Figaro' to the haunting allure of 'Rappaccini’s Daughter,' the season promises a rich tapestry of emotions and operatic mastery. Highlighted by the exhilarating Cooper-Bing Competition and the poignant tragedy of 'La Traviata,' this season is a celebration of both emerging talent and timeless masterpieces, all brought to life by an impressive cast of performers and creatives.

Opera Columbus: A Season of Laughter, Competition, and Timeless Tales

Opera Columbus is set to embark on an extraordinary season filled with timeless operatic masterpieces and fresh, compelling performances from the world's rising stars. From the comedic chaos of 'The Marriage of Figaro' to the haunting world of 'Rappaccini’s Daughter,' this season promises a rich tapestry of stories and voices. Not to be missed are the Cooper-Bing Competition and the historic 'The Anonymous Lover,' alongside the heart-wrenching drama of 'La Traviata.' Join us on a journey that celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of opera.

Opera Columbus: A Journey Through Timeless Tales and New Voices

Opera Columbus is redefining the artistic landscape with a series of captivating events spanning comedy, opera, and competitions. From the comedic genius of Kountry Wayne to the timeless tragedy of La Traviata, and the historical significance of The Anonymous Lover, each event offers a unique narrative. Whether you're drawn to the humor at Chicago Improv or the poignant storytelling of Giuseppe Verdi, Opera Columbus promises an enriching experience. Join us as we explore the creativity, talent, and cultural depth that these events bring to the stage.

Opera Columbus: A Celebration of Diverse Artistic Narratives

Opera Columbus presents a series of enchanting performances that delve into themes of love, sacrifice, ambition, and legacy. From Daniel Catán's 'Rappaccini’s Daughter' and Paola Prestini's 'The Old Man and the Sea' to the timeless 'La Traviata' by Giuseppe Verdi, each opera offers a unique exploration of human emotion and societal challenges. Complementing these performances is the prestigious Cooper-Bing Competition, which showcases the next generation of opera talent. Join us as we explore these captivating productions and the dedicated artists who bring them to life.

Opera Columbus: A Journey Through Time and Emotion

Opera Columbus is set to captivate audiences with a series of immersive performances and a prestigious vocal competition. Ranging from the enigmatic tales of 'Rappaccini’s Daughter' to the heart-rending tragedy of 'La Traviata', these events promise an enriching experience. Alongside these operatic masterpieces, the Cooper-Bing Competition seeks to discover and support the next generation of opera talent. Whether you're a seasoned opera lover or new to the genre, these events are a testament to the enduring power and evolution of opera.

Opera Columbus: A Celebration of Timeless Stories and Emerging Voices

Rossen Milanov

Hilary Ginther

Aubry Ballaro

Nate Ben-Horin

Eve Summer

Opera Columbus

Columbus Symphony

In a co-production with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, CAPA and Opera Columbus. Composed by Giuseppe Verdi and inspired by Alexandre Dumas Fils’s play La Dame aux camélias, La Traviata unfolds as a poignant tragedy. Officially the most performed opera worldwide, La Traviata is Verdi’s twisting love story that explores class, reputation and devotion, with heartbreaking consequences. The story centers on Violetta Valéry, a celebrated courtesan who discovers true love in the arms of Alfredo Germont. However, social pressures and Alfredo’s disapproving father compel her to renounce their love for the sake of his family’s reputation. Overcome by heartbreak and illness, Violetta ultimately finds her way back to Alfredo, but their reconciliation comes too late—she dies in his arms, underscoring the opera’s powerful themes of love, sacrifice, and societal judgment.

La Traviata

Ohio Theatre

The Cooper-Bing is an internationally recognized vocal competition that has celebrated and supported emerging young artists in opera. Dubbed “The Olympics of Opera”, this competition encourages talent, creates artistic opportunity, and helps welcome the next generation into the professional opera community. Five finalists compete for the grand prize of $10,000! The 2025 competition will be emceed by Christopher Purdy.

The Cooper-bing Competition

The Westin Great Southern Columbus

A City scale wide co-production with Columbus Association for the Performing Arts. Gilbert & Sullivan’s pirate ship docks in New Orleans in this jazzy, blues-infused reimagining of the crowd-pleasing classic. Pirates! The Penzance Musical fuses the wit and wordplay of G&S with Caribbean rhythms and French Quarter flair for an outrageously clever romp.

Raised by pirates, Frederic believes his 21st birthday will finally set him free, until a twist of fate complicates everything. When he falls for Mabel, the spirited daughter of Major-General Stanley, pirates, policemen, and villagers collide in a whirlwind of swordplay, mistaken identities, and fast-flying patter. Led by a tongue-twisting Major General, a swaggering Pirate King, and a shipload of unforgettable musical numbers, this high-energy adventure overflows with romance, mischief, and off-the-charts fun, perfect for first-timers and Gilbert & Sullivan aficionados alike.

And for audiences who loved the scale, electricity, and collaborative spirit of West Side Story, this is the must-see event of the season: a bold, genre-blending collaboration that brings opera, musical theatre, jazz and irresistible groove together in one wildly entertaining night.

Pirates! The Penzance Musical

Palace Theatre 

The Girl of the Golden West (La fanciulla del West) drops you straight into a rough-and-tumble Gold Rush mining camp where fortunes are chased, guns are loaded, and hope is a dangerous thing. Powered by some of Puccini’s most cinematic, emotionally charged music, the score surges with sweeping romance, tension, and raw intensity. 

When the mysterious Dick Johnson rides into town, Minnie dares to imagine a life beyond the barroom. But Johnson is hiding a dangerous secret, and when his true identity as an outlaw is revealed, everything ignites. With Sheriff Jack Rance closing in and the camp on edge, Minnie is forced to play for the highest stakes of her life: love versus the law, mercy versus vengeance. One audacious gamble will decide who walks free… and who doesn’t.

The Girl of the Golden West

Based on the novel by Stephen King, The Shining brings audiences inside the Overlook Hotel as the Torrance family becomes trapped by snow, isolation, and the hotel’s malevolent history. Danny’s sixth sense exposes horrors long buried, while Jack’s struggle with his past turns increasingly dangerous. Wendy refuses to give up without a fight. With a haunting score by Paul Moravec and libretto by Mark Campbell, this opera transforms King’s psychological thriller into a powerful family drama – unnerving, emotional, and impossible to look away from.

The Shining

The Cooper-Bing is an internationally recognized vocal competition that has celebrated and supported emerging young artists in opera. Dubbed “The Olympics of Opera”, this competition encourages talent, creates artistic opportunity, and helps welcome the next generation into the professional opera community. Five finalists compete for the grand prize of $10,000!

La Traviata

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