Name: Cooper-Bing Competition
Start: 2025-05-18T00:00:00
Location: The Westin Great Southern Columbus

Prepare to be swept off your feet as Opera Columbus, in collaboration with prominent arts organizations, presents a stunning lineup of events in early 2025. From the electrifying performances of 'West Side Story' at the Ohio Theatre with dynamic dance numbers and a timeless love story to the comedic brilliance of 'The Marriage of Figaro,' where disguises and hilarity ensue, opera enthusiasts are in for a treat. The grandeur continues with the Cooper-Bing Competition, showcasing emerging talent in the opera world, offering young vocalists a chance at artistic glory.

A Captivating Journey Through Opera: West Side Story, The Marriage of Figaro, and the Cooper-Bing Competition

Opera Columbus is set to captivate audiences in 2025 with a series of remarkable performances and events. From the electrifying revival of 'West Side Story' at the Ohio Theatre to the comedic brilliance of 'The Marriage of Figaro' at The Westin Great Southern Columbus, the season promises an exquisite blend of classic opera and lively storytelling. Adding to the excitement, the Cooper-Bing Competition will spotlight up-and-coming opera talent in a thrilling contest. This year is a testament to Opera Columbus' commitment to showcasing both legendary works and the future stars of opera.

Opera Columbus: A Year of Iconic Performances and Emerging Talent

In 2025, Opera Columbus is set to dazzle audiences with a series of compelling performances and competitions. From the timeless romance and dynamic dance of 'West Side Story' to the farcical antics of 'The Marriage of Figaro', this year's lineup is sure to captivate opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Adding to the excitement, the Cooper-Bing Competition returns, spotlighting emerging voices in the opera world. These events promise a season of unforgettable experiences, blending tradition with fresh talent.

Opera Columbus: A Year of Timeless Classics and Emerging Talent

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

The Anonymous Lover (1780), known in French as L’Amant Anonyme, this charming two-act romantic comedy chamber opera by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges is adapted from a comedic play by Stéphanie Félicité de Genlis (Madame de Genlis). It centers on Léontine, a wealthy widow who begins receiving ardent letters and gifts from a secret admirer. Unbeknownst to her, the devoted suitor is actually her close friend Valcour, who conceals his identity out of fear of rejection. Through spirited misunderstandings and heartfelt revelations, Léontine learns the truth, culminating in a joyful resolution that celebrates the power of genuine devotion and trust. Will love win? Joseph Bologne’s stirring music is complemented by a fresh book adaptation from the pen of Obie Award-winning Boston playwright Kirsten Greenidge, mixing English dialogue with the original French singing. The third of Bologne’s six operas, The Anonymous Lover was his most successful opera, and the only one that has survived to this day. The work holds a significant place in the annals of music history, standing as one of the first known operas composed by a Black artist.

The Anonymous Lover

Palace Theatre 

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

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! 

Cooper-Bing Competition

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