Purcell’s ground-breaking opera makes its long-awaited Opera Lafayette debut. Mary Elizabeth Williams returns to Opera Lafayette as Dido, the ill-fated Queen of Carthage, following her internationally lauded performance in last season’s Morgiane. The famously haunting aria “When I Am Laid in Earth” brings the resilient Dido to a crossroad in this woman-centered storyline, delivering an unforgettable saga of love, loss, power, and humanity.

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Dido and Aeneas

El Museo del Barrio

Sixth & I

It’s “summertime, and the livin’ is easy” in Catfish Row, a working-class fishing town in South Carolina. When a murder shakes the community and tempts Bess to return to her drug-filled past, Porgy becomes her unlikely refuge. As a hurricane descends and Bess’ violent old flame returns, she’ll find herself torn between Porgy’s steadfast love and the demons that tempt her.

Porgy and Bess

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Can you imagine a time before there was Opera Lafayette? Difficult as it may seem, the nation’s oldest period instrument opera company was once only the speck of an idea in the mind of a visionary young violinist, Ryan Brown. Leading the first concert performing French Baroque chamber music in the Corcoran Gallery’s magnificent Salon Doré in 1995, Maestro Brown has built Opera Lafayette into a major cultural force, celebrated from the American shores all the way to the theatre at Versailles. This concert will focus on the music, the musicians, and the composers that Ryan Brown has championed and elevated during his 30-year tenure as Artistic Director. Help us rejoice in the rich and consequential history of The Nation’s Period Opera Company made possible through the revolutionary vision of Ryan Brown.

Featuring:
Opera Lafayette Chamber Orchestra
Paulina Francisco, soprano
Jonathan Taylor Ward, bass-baritone
James Reese, tenor**
And more

*This performance season is an external rental presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and is not produced by the Kennedy Center.

RE | JOICE:  30 Years of Ryan Brown at Opera Lafayette

St. Bartholomew Church

Be there for the world premiere of three one-act operas staged in a concert performance, with talented Cafritz Young Artists among the casts.

American Opera Initiative

Kennedy Center

The Shame Disco. DJ Reform94 throws a youth disco for adults, with the best/worst music from the nineties.

Reform94

Union Scene

A free, family-friendly street dance on the west side of the Stadium of Fire site, featuring a Miner Music DJ spinning tunes from across the decades, held after the fireworks on Independence Day.

Street Dance: Post-Stadium of Fire Celebration

LaVell Edwards Stadium

Closing reading of the Queer Literature Festival Munich with Sophia Merwald, moderated by Franziska Setare Koohestani. Reading from the debut novel "Sperrgut".

Closing Reading: Sophia Merwald "Sperrgut"

Gasteig HP8

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ_ZQW5C2pw&amp;t=2s

The Artelize Podcast Presenting Will Shutes: 'Bring it down out of the clouds to human being level'

Florestan suffers in a secret underground cell, unjustly incarcerated for his political beliefs. But a light in the darkness is breaking: Leonore, Florestan’s wife, has disguised herself as the male guard Fidelio to free her beloved. By infiltrating the system that oppresses her husband, can she be the voice that overthrows it—and free her country from a brutal regime?

Fidelio

His music transcends opera stages and into pop culture. His stories transport audiences to immersive worlds where music and drama intertwine. Richard Wagner revolutionized opera with his innovative orchestrations and unparalleled theatrical visions. Now, join a special one-night-only celebration of the composer who harnessed the potent power of music.

Gods & Mortals: A Celebration of Wagner

This groundbreaking program seeks to examine the question of “who owns culture?” through a two-part music and dance exploration. 

The first half of the program will feature two extraordinary artists, tenor Karim Sulayman and guitarist Sean Shibe, performing music from their award-winning album “Broken Branches.” Sulayman and Shibe’s program weaves baroque music of Giulio Caccini and Claudio Monteverdi with traditional Sephardic and Arab/Andalusian works and ballads by contemporary composers and singers from Egypt and Lebanon, and frames the program with songs of Purcell and Britten.

RE | CLAIM:  Ensemble Amedyez and Kalanidhi Dance 

Experience the power and passion of Puccini's final masterpiece, "Turandot," in a new production that promises to captivate audiences at the Kennedy Center's Opera House from May 11 to May 25, 2024. Directed by the acclaimed Francesca Zambello, this rendition of "Turandot" is not just an opera; it's a journey into the heart of love's transformative power.

Set against the backdrop of ancient China, "Turandot" tells the tale of the cold-hearted Princess Turandot, who challenges her suitors to solve three riddles on pain of death. The plot thickens when Prince Calaf, mesmerized by Turandot's beauty, takes on the challenge, leading to a story of risk, riddles, and romantic determination. This production is unique, featuring a WORLD PREMIERE ending that offers a fresh perspective on the classic opera. With music by Giacomo Puccini and Christopher Tin, and a libretto by Giuseppe Adami, Renato Simoni, and Susan Soon He Stanton, this "Turandot" is a blend of traditional opera with contemporary creativity.

The opera is performed in Italian with projected English titles, ensuring that all attendees can fully immerse themselves in the drama and beauty of the performance. The cast features some of the opera world's most talented voices, including Ewa Plonka, Marjorie Owens, Yonghoon Lee, Jonathan Burton, and Peixin Chen, among others. Speranza Scappucci conducts, bringing her renowned skill to Puccini's score, which includes the iconic aria "Nessun dorma."

Tickets for "Turandot" are available as part of a subscription to the Washington National Opera (WNO) season, offering not just the best seats but also exclusive savings and maximum flexibility. The opera's run includes several performances, ensuring ample opportunity for opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike to experience this spectacular production.

Mark your calendars for the opening night on May 11, 2024, and prepare for an evening of unforgettable opera. "Turandot" at the Kennedy Center is more than just a performance; it's an event that promises to leave audiences pondering the power of love and the mysteries of the human heart.

Turandot

Experience the vibrant fusion of jazz and opera with the Washington National Opera's latest production, "Songbird," at the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater from March 9 to March 23, 2024. This innovative adaptation of Jacques Offenbach’s "La Périchole" transports audiences to the roaring 1920s in New Orleans, a time of decadence, but also of hardship for singers and lovers Songbird and Piquillo. As Mardi Gras unfolds, the Mayor's tempting offer forces Songbird to choose between financial security and true love.

Featuring Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard and Tony-nominated leading man Ramin Karimloo, "Songbird" promises a captivating blend of operetta and jazz, with toe-tapping music, glamorous costumes, and a storyline filled with mistaken identities and comic twists. The production, adapted by Eric Sean Fogel, James Lowe, and Kelley Rourke, with musical arrangement and orchestration by James Lowe, and English lyrics and book by Kelley Rourke, brings a fresh perspective to Offenbach’s comedic love story, ensuring an unforgettable experience.

Performed in French and English with projected English titles, this new production, commissioned by The Glimmerglass Festival in 2021, showcases the irresistible charm of the classic opéra bouffe with a Frenchman Street flair. Don't miss your chance to be part of this unique musical journey—tickets are available in subscriptions, offering the best seats, maximum flexibility, and exclusive savings. Join us at the Kennedy Center for a performance that infuses the spirit of New Orleans into the heart of opera.

Songbird

Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Washington National Opera's enchanting production of "The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me" at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater, from December 8th to 10th, 2023. This heartwarming family opera, based on the award-winning children's book by Jeanette Winterson and featuring music by Tony-winning composer Jeanine Tesori, returns to captivate audiences with its whimsical costumes, endearing characters, and playful music.

Set against the backdrop of the first Christmas, the story follows a humble donkey's journey alongside fearsome Lion and graceful Unicorn, as they vie to lead Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. It's a tale that reminds us miracles can happen anywhere, especially when you believe in yourself. This production, praised for its fresh energy and charm, showcases the talents of members from our Cafritz Young Artist Program and the WNO Children’s Chorus.

Performances are scheduled for December 8th at 7 p.m., December 9th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and December 10th at 2 p.m. Tickets are available as part of a subscription, offering the best seats, maximum flexibility, and exclusive savings. Don't miss this opportunity to create lasting memories with your loved ones during the holiday season. Join us for a performance that promises to fill hearts with joy and the spirit of Christmas.

The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me

Experience the timeless tragedy of "Romeo and Juliet" at the Kennedy Center's Opera House, presented by the Washington National Opera from November 4th to 18th, 2023. This new production brings to life Gounod’s passionate opera, a grand retelling of Shakespeare's most tragic love story. Directed by Simon Godwin in his highly anticipated opera directorial debut, the performance promises an unforgettable journey through feuding families, forbidden love, and doomed fate, all underscored by Gounod's soaring music and exquisite duets.

The opera, sung in French with projected English titles, features a phenomenal cast including Rosa Feola as Juliet and Adam Smith as Romeo, with music by Charles Gounod and libretto by Jules Barber and Michael Carré. This production is a part of a festival celebrating the works of William Shakespeare across the Washington, D.C. region, showcasing the enduring power of love that transcends life itself.

Tickets are available in subscriptions, offering a chance to secure the best seats and enjoy exclusive savings. The Kennedy Center also provides special terms and discounts for groups of 20 or more. Don't miss this grand and sweeping opera that captures the heart of Shakespeare's tragic love story in a production co-produced by Glimmerglass Festival and Washington National Opera.

Romeo and Juliet

The Kennedy Center is thrilled to present the world premiere of "Grounded," a compelling opera that delves into the moral implications and psychological effects of virtual warfare. This groundbreaking production, commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera and developed by the Metropolitan Opera/Lincoln Center Theater New Works Program, features music by Tony Award-winning composer Jeanine Tesori and a libretto based on the award-winning play by George Brant. 

"Grounded" tells the story of Jess, an accomplished F-16 fighter pilot whose pregnancy reassigns her to a remote-controlled drone program. From a trailer in Las Vegas, Jess navigates the complex terrain of modern warfare, where the lines between the battlefield and home blur, challenging her perceptions of duty, warfare, and family. This opera explores Jess's internal conflict and the psychological toll of conducting war from afar, offering a poignant look at the human cost of technology in combat.

Starring mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo as Jess, the production utilizes massive LED-screen technology to immerse audiences in the psychological and social implications of virtual warfare, making a powerful statement that technological distance from war does not equate to emotional distance. 

The opera runs from October 28 to November 13, 2023, at the Kennedy Center's Opera House, with tickets available in subscriptions. This event not only marks a significant addition to the Washington National Opera's season but also represents a landmark moment in opera, bringing contemporary issues to the forefront of the art form.

The Washington National Opera and the Kennedy Center express their gratitude to all sponsors for their support, emphasizing that the programmatic choices reflect artistic independence, a value deeply respected by both corporate and individual donors. 

Don't miss this world premiere that bridges the gap between modern warfare and opera, promising an unforgettable experience that resonates with contemporary audiences.

Grounded

ENTWINED: A DOUBLE FEATURE

Featuring the world-premiere of Entwined: Love’s Magicians by Derek Goldman and El retablo de maese Pedro (Master Peter’s Puppet Show) by Manuel de Falla.

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Manuel de Falla’s seminal chamber opera, El retablo de maese Pedro (Master Peter’s Puppet Show), PCE and playwright/director Derek Goldman team up to present Entwined: A Double Feature. This program features the world premiere of Goldman's sensuous new performance piece conjuring the deep and unlikely friendship between Federico García Lorca, widely regarded as the greatest Spanish poet of the twentieth century, and Manuel de Falla, Spain’s most prominent composer of the period. With Flamenco artists, solosits, actors, and more, the performance will help contextualize the second half of the program.

In the second half, PCE performs the chamber opera El retablo de maese Pedro, possibly de Falla's best work. The opera was premiered in March 1923 at the salon of Princess de Polignac who commissioned the work. The opera was inspired by a chapter in Don Quixote and is set in early 17th century Spain. In this collaboration with visual artist Kevork Mourad, puppets are replaced by animation synced with the score performed by PostClassical Ensemble.

Entwined

In Harlem, a couple celebrates the birth of their firstborn—a boy, Black and beautiful. As the mother worries for her son’s future in today’s America, the father wrestles with his role as a police officer, a “Black man in blue.” When the unimaginable happens years later and a white officer kills the son, their deepest fears will come true.

Following its postponement in our 2020–2021 season, WNO presents the long-awaited D.C. premiere of Blue, the “Best New Opera of 2020” (The Music Critics Association of North America). Tony Award®–winning composer Jeanine Tesori and NAACP Theatre Award–winning librettist Tazewell Thompson’s new opera is inspired by contemporary events and Black literature, including Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me and James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time. Jeanine’s signature genre-blending style captures the grief of a community, the bonds of a family, and the vulnerabilities of protecting a child. By giving voice to the joy and pain of families that are often unheard, Blue places timely issues at the forefront of modern opera and invites audiences to the emotional epicenter of their impact.

Blue

Visionary impresaria Mary Cardwell Dawson fights and triumphs as she establishes the National Negro Opera Company in Carlos Simon and Sandra Seaton’s new play with music.

She trained hundreds of African American youth to sing. She founded the longest-running, all-Black opera company. She organized opera guilds in the country’s biggest cities. Mary Cardwell Dawson’s dream to bring music to African American audiences came true—and it changed the future of opera.

The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson makes its highly anticipated mainstage premiere to celebrate the remarkable founder of the historic and groundbreaking National Negro Opera Company, established in 1941. Starring acclaimed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves in the title role, this play with music by Mark Twain Award-winning playwright Sandra Seaton includes selections from the repertory of the National Negro Opera Company and original music composed by Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence and 2023 Grammy nominee Carlos Simon.

The story starts in Washington, D.C. in 1943, where the company is set to perform on a floating barge to evade racially-segregated venues. But when bad weather threatens—pushing the performance to a segregated performance hall—Mary Cardwell Dawson must find a way forward.

The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson

WNO’s acclaimed commissioning program for contemporary American opera enters its tenth exciting season.

This season, three talented composer-librettist teams—B.E. Boykin and Jarrod Lee, Jens Ibsen and Cecelia Raker, and Silen Wellington and Walken Schweigert—showcase their three new one-act operas.

American Opera Initiative (AOI) mentorship is led by newly appointed AOI Artistic Advisor and librettist Kelley Rourke, librettist and filmmaker Kimberly Reed, composer Carlos Simon, and WNO Principal Conductor Evan Rogister, who will lead a chamber orchestra of WNO Orchestra members. The concert staging will be directed by WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello.

Opera events in Washington, DC

Dido and Aeneas

Opera Lafayette

Porgy and Bess

Washington National Opera

RE | JOICE: 30 Years of ...

Opera Lafayette

American Opera Initiative...

Washington National Opera

Reform94

Union Scene

Street Dance: Post-Stadiu...

America's Freedom Festival at Provo

Closing Reading: Sophia M...

Gasteig HP8

The Artelize Podcast Pres...

Artelize

Fidelio

Washington National Opera

Gods & Mortals: A Celebra...

Washington National Opera

RE | CLAIM: Ensemble Ame...

Opera Lafayette

Turandot

Washington National Opera

Songbird

Washington National Opera

The Lion, the Unicorn, an...

Washington National Opera

Romeo and Juliet

Washington National Opera

Grounded

Washington National Opera

Entwined

PostClassical Ensemble

Blue

Washington National Opera

The Passion of Mary Cardw...

Washington National Opera

American Opera Initiative...

Washington National Opera