Experience the magic of Mozart in Philadelphia this season with a lineup of breathtaking performances. From the comedic brilliance of 'Le nozze di Figaro' by the Curtis Opera Theatre at the Kimmel Center, to the dramatic intensity of 'Don Giovanni' at the Academy of Music, and the sublime interpretations of Mozart's piano concertos by Emanuel Ax and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. Join us as we also witness 'The Grand Finale' featuring Mozart's Symphony No. 35 with the Philadelphia Orchestra, making it a season to remember!

Celebrating Mozart in Philadelphia: From Figaro to Don Giovanni and Beyond

Opera Philadelphia proudly presents the American premiere of "The Listeners," a thrilling new opera with music by Missy Mazzoli and libretto by Royce Vavrek. This captivating work, based on an original story by Jordan Tannahill, is performed in English with English supertitles and explores the seductive power of cults and charismatic leaders in a divided nation. The opera delves into the lengths Americans are willing to go to find a sense of place and purpose, and how confident, charming leaders can exploit these needs.

Set in a southwestern U.S. suburb, "The Listeners" follows a middle-class mother, soprano Nicole Heaston in her company debut, who notices a mysterious hum that only a select few can hear. As a community organization forms to investigate, meetings led by the de facto leader Kevin Burdette take on a cult-like atmosphere, leading to a potentially destructive path.

The opera is scheduled for performances at the Academy of Music on Wednesday, September 25 at 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 27 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, September 29 at 2:00 p.m. The runtime is approximately 2 hours and 23 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission.

"The Listeners" is a co-commission and co-production with Norwegian National Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago. This season's production is supported by the Artistry Now Matching Fund, Barbara Augusta Teichert, and major support from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, with additional support from OPERA America’s Opera Grants for Female Composers program.

The cast and creative team feature Corrado Rovaris as conductor, Lileana Blain-Cruz as director, and a talented ensemble including Troy Cook, Lindsey Reynolds, Kevin Burdette, Aaron Crouch, and many more, bringing this powerful story to life.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience this groundbreaking opera that examines the sound of a divided nation through the lens of an extraordinary musical and theatrical journey.

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The Listeners

Academy of Music

In this new production of Madame Butterfly, director Aria Umezawa constructs – and deconstructs – Puccini's fantasy of Japan, infusing the typical Westernized portrayal with Japanese history, culture, and artistry, while giving Cio-Cio-San a new sense of agency over her own story.

Madame Butterfly

The Sankofa Project: A Journey Through Black Music and Artistry explores the rich tapestry of vocal music created by African Americans. This program features music by and tributes to Black musical figures in many genres such as Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson, Curtis Mayfield, and The Impressions, including Price and Bonds performed by five young HBCU alumni artists. Along with the powerful music, audiences will be treated to the powerful stories of these legendary artists through narration and dramatic interpretation. The music and artistry of African people are much like that precious egg in the mouth of the bird, full of vitality and sustainable resources. In experiencing this program, all will be inspired by these pivotal artists of the past and determined to move forward in creating a brighter future for us all.

Sankofa Project

Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church

Come and dream with us as the Opera Philadelphia Chorus, in partnership with Wharton-Wesley Faith Ensemble and Philadelphia soprano Karen Slack, presents a concert of music by Black composers centered on four choral settings of the poetry of Harlem Renaissance icon Langston Hughes.

To Sit and Dream

Tindley Temple United Methodist Church

A romantic comedy ahead of its time, The Anonymous Lover centers on young widow Léontine. When she begins to receive a series of passionate letters from a secret admirer, she wrestles with whether she can love again, especially when it becomes apparent her friend Valcour is the unsigned author. Will love win?

The Anonymous Lover

Join us for this virtual lecture series presented in collaboration with The International Florence Price Festival. This series provides a comprehensive exploration of representation in classical music, showcasing the diverse voices that have often been overlooked and will not only educate participants on the contributions of underrepresented composers and performers but also encourage a broader conversation about the need for inclusivity within the classical music canon.

Lectures @ Noon

Opera Philadelphia

Unholy Wars closes the dusty history book and reframes the Crusades from a Middle Eastern perspective to reveal a new story of belonging and resilience. Conceived and created by Lebanese American tenor Karim Sulayman, music by Handel and Monteverdi is interwoven with that of composer Mary Kouyoumdjian to explore and reclaim representations of his identity. Reexamining Baroque interpretations of the Crusades and depictions of the Middle East, Sulayman asks "Can we lean into the discomfort of our collective history while forging a new path forward?"

Unholy Wars

Suzanne Roberts Theatre

Baritone Quinn Kelsey stars as Simon Boccanegra, a leader coming into great power who must balance duty to his nation with his duties as a father after his long-lost daughter Amelia (soprano Ana María Martínez) reenters his life. Surrounded by poisonous rivals, can he be the man those who love him need him to be and survive the plots of those who hate him?

Simon Boccanegra

Is she insane? Or just pretending? This psychological drama follows trailblazing reporter Nellie Bly through her internment at Blackwell's Asylum, exposing, as Bly did, notions of madness and societal biases against women.

10 Days in a Madhouse

Wilma Theater

Dr. Christine Jobson will give a dramatic reading of her children’s book Lily’s First Trip to the Opera, followed by a reading from Jillian Pirtle, CEO of the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society of When Marian Sang by Pam Muñoz Ryan. The Marian Anderson Museum & Historical Society will display items of Marian’s – letters, dresses, and sheet music – to bring the story of the Philadelphia luminary to life. The event will conclude with participants having an opportunity to purchase a copy of Lily’s First Trip to the Opera to be autographed by the author!

Opera Storybook Time

Athenaeum of Philadelphia

Opera Philadelphia brings its multitalented singers, orchestra, and chorus to the Twilight Concert Series at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken for a family-friendly night of opera conducted by Collingswood’s Elizabeth Braden. The free, 90-minute concert begins with some of opera’s most beloved and popular songs and concludes with a full performance of Gian Carlo Menotti’s magical holiday classic Amahl and the Night Visitors, about a little shepherd boy who encounters the Three Kings on their way to Bethlehem.

Dubbed Opera Philadelphia's Christmas in July, the concert is part of a special 2023 Twilight Concert Series lineup to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Cooper River Park. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own chairs. There is free parking on site.

Amahl and the Night Visitors is a family-friendly opera and has been enduringly popular since its premiere in 1951. It tells the story of Amahl, a shepherd boy who has a propensity to tell tall tales, and his mother. Amahl’s most recent story is about a star with a tail that moves across the sky like a chariot on fire. When three splendid strangers knock on the door and ask to rest in their tiny home, Amahl is thrilled and fascinated. When the visitors describe the miraculous child they are seeking, both Amahl and his mother are moved to give reverence to the child as well. Their humble faith conjures a miracle.

Opera Philadelphia’s Christmas in July

Cooper River Park

Join us for an afternoon of songs of hope, love, and light by Ysaye Barnwell, Isaac Cates, Kirk Franklin, Pink Martini, Vivaldi, Norma Jean Hughes, and more.

T-VOCE Winter Concert

Friends Center

Are you ready for The Greenaissance? Pop diva Mabeline is back and greener than ever, kicking off her world tour in Philly with an electrifying set blending viral hits including “My Patina” and “Green Light” with holiday classics like you’ve never heard them before. The Grinch's ex-wife is bringing the heat to the coldest time of year with her holiday show featuring featuring dazzling visuals, dynamic dancers, and surprise guest appearances from Whoville and Philly legends. Let the Greenaissance begin!

Featuring Philly Favorite Cookie Diorio as Mabeline, Jess Conda as DJ Cindy Lou Who, Lili St. Queer as Horton, and members of The House of Diorio.

Mabeline: The Greenaissance Tour

Voyeur Nightclub

Opera Philadelphia proudly presents the company premiere of "The Anonymous Lover," a captivating romantic comedy that stands as a testament to the genius of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. This groundbreaking 18th-century composer, often overlooked due to his race, was a contemporary of Mozart and Haydn and shines through his only surviving opera. The music, composed by Joseph Bologne with a libretto by François-Georges Fouques Deshayes, Desfontaines, based on the play "L’amant anonyme" by Stéphanie Félicité, Madame de Genlis, and adapted by Kirsten Greenidge, will be performed in French with English supertitles, offering audiences a unique and immersive experience.

Set against the backdrop of a frothy romp filled with beautiful arias and charming music, "The Anonymous Lover" tells the story of the young widow Léontine, portrayed by soprano Symone Harcum, who receives a series of passionate letters from a secret admirer. As she grapples with the possibility of new love, it becomes clear that her friend Valcour, played by tenor Khanyiso Gwenxane, is the mysterious author. This opera invites audiences to root for true love in a tale that is both ahead of its time and timeless.

The production is co-produced with Boston Lyric Opera and features a talented cast including Johnathan McCullough as Ophémon, Ashley Marie Robillard as Jeanette, Joshua Blue as Colin, and Sun-Ly Pierce as Dorothée. The creative team is led by conductor Kalena Bovell and director Dennis Whitehead Darling, with scenic coordination by Baron E. Pugh, costumes by Leslie Travers, and lighting by Driscoll Otto. Elizabeth Braden serves as the chorus master, marking her Opera Philadelphia debut.

"The Anonymous Lover" will grace the stage of the Academy of Music with performances scheduled for January 31 at 8:00 p.m. and February 2 at 2:00 p.m., during the Jan - Feb 2025 season. The opera runs for approximately 90 minutes with no intermission, promising an evening of uninterrupted enchantment.

This production is part of Opera Philadelphia’s 2024-2025 Season, supported by the Artistry Now Matching Fund and Barbara Augusta Teichert, with additional support from Judy and Peter Leone for Academy of Music productions. Don't miss the opportunity to discover the work of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, and experience a romantic comedy that will leave you inspired and uplifted.

Opera Philadelphia proudly presents a new production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's riveting masterpiece, "Don Giovanni." This beloved opera, performed in Italian with English supertitles, delves into the life of the charming yet despicable nobleman, Don Giovanni. Known for his unrepentant pursuit of selfish desires, Giovanni's actions, including the assault of a woman and the murder of her father, set in motion a series of events that could lead to his ultimate downfall. The question remains: will Don Giovanni escape the consequences of his actions, or will there be hell to pay?

This production, brought to life under the baton of conductor Corrado Rovaris and director Alison Moritz, features a talented cast including Timothy Murray as Don Giovanni, Olivia Smith as Donna Anna, Khanyiso Gwenxane as Don Ottavio, Elizabeth Reiter as Donna Elvira, Nicholas Newton as Leporello, Amanda Sheriff as Zerlina, Kevin Godínez as Masetto, and Raymond Aceto as Commendatore. The creative team is rounded out with Philip Witcomb handling set and costume design, Thomas C. Hase on lighting design, and Elizabeth Braden as chorus master.

The opera is set to take place at the Academy of Music with performances scheduled from April to May 2025. Specific dates include April 25th and May 2nd at 8:00 p.m., and April 27th and May 4th at 2:00 p.m. The runtime is approximately 3 hours, including one 20-minute intermission. This production is a collaboration with Cincinnati Opera and is part of Opera Philadelphia’s 2024-2025 Season, supported by the Artistry Now Matching Fund and Barbara Augusta Teichert, with additional support from Judy and Peter Leone for Academy of Music productions.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience Mozart's timeless tale of seduction, power, and retribution in this new production that promises to captivate and entertain.

Opera Philadelphia

Dec 7, 2024

T-VOCE Winter Concert

12 - 21 Dec, 2024

Mabeline: The Greenaissance Tour

Jan 31 - Feb 2, 2025

The Anonymous Lover

Apr 25 - May 4, 2025

Don Giovanni

25 - 29 Sep, 2024

The Listeners

Apr 26 - May 5, 2024

Madame Butterfly

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