«You will die! A friend will kill you.» – The scene with the fortune teller Ulrica, who prophesies that Count Riccardo will soon meet his end, is just one of many effective scenes in Verdi’s opera Un ballo in maschera. Riccardo doesn’t believe Ulrica, and laughs – but a short while later he is murdered by his best friend Renato during a masked ball. Comedy and horror are also closely linked musically in this score from Verdi’s middle creative phase. The story of an idle, politically weak ruler who is killed at a masked ball is based on the historical case of Gustav III of Sweden. However, Verdi was less interested in historical details than in the effective dramaturgy offered by the triangular constellation between Riccardo, his best friend Renato and his wife Amelia. The emotional drama that takes place in the middle act between Riccardo and his friend's wife is one of the most sensual love scenes Verdi ever wrote – and leads to the fiercest jealousy from Renato, who then joins a gang of conspirators. Verdi wanted to stage his new opera – originally with King Gustav as the title figure – in Naples, but the subject matter was targeted by censors. Showing a regicide on stage was simply impossible in the politically turbulent Italy of the 19th century. In the end, the opera was staged in Rome in 1859, in a historically altered setting. General Music Director Gianandrea Noseda and stage director Adele Thomas devote themselves to Verdi’s score of contrasts, which oscillates between masquerade frivolity and deeply felt melodrama. Tenor Charles Castronovo, who has already sung this role at the New York Met, is Riccardo. Italian soprano Erika Grimaldi makes her debut as Amelia.

EPSG:4326

Un ballo in Maschera

Opernhaus Zürich

The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II is a biblical parable of hubris, punishment and catharsis. After all, would we still know his name if he had not made a major appearance in the Third Book of Daniel in the Old Testament? In a speech there, he tells of how, in accordance with a prophecy, he descended into madness, was cast out and lived like an animal. Only the revelation of “God of heaven” brought him back to human society.

Nabucco

Cologne Opera

Get to know the theatre from a different perspective! The 60 minute tour will take you through the dressmaking department, the wardrobe, the make-up and props departments, and onto the stage. Important information: The tour is held in German.

Guided Tour Opera House (GER)

Opera in two acts by Jonathan Dove (*1959) for children from age 7 and up and the eternally young
based on the novel of the same name by Jules Verne, Libretto by Peter Lund
Commission of the Opernhaus Zürich

In 80 Tagen um die Welt

Amahl and the Night Visitors is an inspiring tale of kindness, generosity, and hope. Named “one of the 10 great holiday shows that aren’t The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol” by the Denver Post, Amahl and the Night Visitors has quickly become a holiday favorite for Denver families and opera lovers alike.

Amahl and the Night Visitors

Central Presbyterian Church Denver

These two charming Christmas works (one touches on the sacred side of the holiday, the other is secular and silly) will be staged with a live orchestra. Fun for audience members of all ages!

AHMAL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS follows a poor, disabled shepherd boy named Ahmal. One night he and his mother receive an unexpected visit from the three Wise Men on their way to Bethlehem to visit the newborn Jesus. Filled with charming exchanges that build to a powerful climax of grace, redemption and a miraculous healing.

This WEST COAST PREMIERE of THE FOUR LOST SANTAS features a quartet of Santas, lost and stranded by the side of the road with their broken-down car, missing their big break at SantaCon. A mother and son (Judy and Rudy), late to their performance of Ahmal and the Night Visitors, come across them and agree to help. Will the Santas make it to SantaCon? Do Judy and Rudy make it to the theatre on time? Join us to find out!

Gian Carlo Menotti Amahl and the Night Visitors

24th Street Theatre

This opera is the world in a theatrical nutshell: it deals with growing older, with trials and tribulations, with intransparent decisions. One person searches for individuality, another is too lazy to do so. Others postulate that the community is the only adequate place for the individual. Power has either been legitimised by long tradition or usurped by new regimes. Values such as assimilation and loyalty are set against self-assertiveness and independence. There is loving and dreaming, cheating and trusting. Suicides are prevented, tests passed, adventures survived. Who is right? Who has been wronged? The world of the magic flute is opaque, and everyone is looking for a pathway: within it, into it or out of it. Who holds the reigns? Who can be trusted? Could it be music?

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)

Staatsoper Hamburg

With stirring music and arguably the greatest love story in the literary canon, »Romeo and Juliet« is one of the most popular ballets of all time. The tale of young, impetuous love and deep-seated, age-old hatred has been adapted countless times for stage, film and television.

Romeo und Julia

Musikalische Komödie

When orphan boy Krabat enters the mill in Koselbruch for the first time, he has no idea what secrets are guarded here by the mysterious master miller. The twelve apprentices stacking sacks of flour under the creaking beams are not only taught earthly craftsmanship, but also the art of black magic. Krabat quickly makes friends here, but something seems odd: year after year, one of the mill workers mysteriously dies. The power of the master, who has devoted himself to evil forces, takes its toll in order not to be weakened

Krabat

German Oper am Rhein

Theatre, theatre everywhere! During rehearsals for the highly tragic period piece ‘Romulus and Ersilia’, everything somehow goes wrong: the prima donna doesn't feel well, the trouser role doesn't like itself and the tenor finally wants to play first violin.
And to make matters worse, Mamma Agata, the second soprano's weird helicopter mother, bursts in...

Prima la Mamma!

Theater Duisburg

A sell-out every year and now an Allentown holiday music tradition!  Classics, carols, sing-a-longs and plenty of surprises (including a visit from a certain North Pole resident!). Perfect for family, friends, and co-workers.

Holiday Pops!

Miller Symphony Hall

Think you know the story of Santa Claus? Opéra Louisiane proudly presents the Louisiana premiere of Mark Adamo's Becoming Santa Claus. In this magical holiday opera, 13-year-old Prince Claus tries to outdo the legendary Three Kings with unexpected results!

Becoming Santa Claus

Manship Theatre

Bring the whole family to this classic one-hour opera, sung in English. Amahl tells the story of a child and his mother who encounter the three wise men on their way to Bethlehem, and how they experience a miracle of their own.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden

The miserly and cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge cares little for Christmas or his fellow beings. During the night, the spirits of Christmas take him on a journey through the past, present, and future. Will Scrooge come to understand the true meaning of Christmas?

A Christmas Carol

Finnish National Opera and Ballet

Trinity Episcopal Church, Escondido

San Marcos Lutheran Church

“A wonderful performance for young and old,” wrote NRC after the premiere of Een lied voor de maat . And Theaterkrant concluded that the performance “deserves to be kept in the repertoire”. We kept that in mind: due to the overwhelming success, we are bringing the heart-warming youth opera back to Studio Boekman this Christmas holiday.

A song for the moon

National Opera & Ballet

Ben Duke’s electric work asks: what if Medea had a chance to tell her own story?

Ruination

Royal Opera House

Julia Trevelyan Oman’s period designs bring festive charm to Peter Wright’s beloved Royal Ballet production, as fairytale magic comes together with spectacular dancing in this unforgettable classic ballet.

Royal Ballet and Opera: The Nutcracker (12A)

Stephen Joseph Theatre

After two seasons of sellout shows, The Drunken Tenor, Rob McPherson, returns to Tagney Jones Hall this December for another celebration of opera, holiday hits, and hilarity. Seen it before? Think again. Joined by duet partners from the past, present, and future, The Drunken Tenor’s bringing a flask of fresh, fermented fun brewed in his cask of comedy opera.

A Very Drunken Christmas Carol

Seattle Opera

"Yaparız biz herşeyi! Together and united we are strong!" the four animals sing and set off for Bremen to find happiness there. They are underdogs, outcasts and individualists: The donkey left his owner standing there when he called him stupid. the dog was disowned by his mistress because he always broke everything when playing. The cat refused to catch mice and was put out on the street. The rooster never managed to control his emotional outbursts and so he was thrown out as a troublemaker. But now they form an unbeatable team that wants to make music together and become famous – "Un pour tous, tous pour un! One for all, all for one!" the four musketeers set off on a journey to the place of their longing. Of course, numerous obstacles appear along the way, and there are also disputes among themselves. This extraordinary children's opera tells how the four idiosyncratic characters learn to overcome their conflicts and their fears.

Un ballo in Maschera

Opernhaus Zürich

Nabucco

Oper Köln

Guided Tour Opera House (...

Opernhaus Zürich

In 80 Tagen um die Welt

Opernhaus Zürich

Amahl and the Night Visit...

Central City Opera

Gian Carlo Menotti Amahl ...

Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento

Die Zauberflöte (The Magi...

Staatsoper Hamburg

Romeo und Julia

Oper Leipzig

Krabat

Deutsche Oper am Rhein

Prima la Mamma!

Deutsche Oper am Rhein

Holiday Pops!

Miller Symphony Hall

Becoming Santa Claus

Opéra Louisiane

Amahl and the Night Visit...

Fort Worth Opera

A Christmas Carol

Finnish National Opera and Ballet

Amahl and the Night Visit...

Genesis Opera Theatre

A song for the moon

Nationale Opera & Ballet

Ruination

Royal Opera House

Royal Ballet and Opera: T...

Stephen Joseph Theatre

A Very Drunken Christmas ...

Seattle Opera

The Bremen Town Musicians...

Oper Köln