2024 in Review

Cincinnati Opera proudly opened our doors to audiences for our magical 2024 Summer Festival. The season featured beloved classics such as Don Giovanni and La Traviata, as well as a historical world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio. Cincinnati Opera was also delighted to host a wealth of community events such as Back to the Zoo, Divas & Diamonds, Opera Goes to Church, Opera in the Park, Singers & Spirits, To Sir, With Love, and Pride Night. This season also allowed Cincinnati Opera to host a campaign titled “Come Together, Cincy!” which united the region to #GetPaultoMusicHall.

We are forever grateful to our audiences, donors, volunteers, staff, and community for the unconditional support in promoting and preserving Cincinnati’s lively arts scene. Enjoy this recap, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to Music Hall next year!

Singers & Spirits

Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals presented Singers & Spirits, pairing festive beverages and performances by Cincinnati Opera artists at local wineries and breweries.

Photos by Paige Pederzani

Back to the Zoo

Cincinnati Opera returned to its first home, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, where opera and animal lovers experienced the magic that surrounded Cincinnati Opera’s beginnings.

Photos by Lisa Hubbard

Come together, cincy

Proud supporters of Cincinnati Opera joined together to kick off our 2024 Summer Festival and “Come Together, Cincy!” campaign with the goal to #GetPaultoMusicHall.

Photos by Mikki Schaffner

Divas & Diamonds

Opera divas and divos gathered at Ritcher & Phillips Jewelers to enjoy live operatic performances, delectable snacks, and drinks provided by local vendors.

Photos by Paige Pederzani

Opera goes to church!

Audiences experienced an eclectic mix of gospel, jazz, and classical music at Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church and Zion Global Ministries.

Photos by Philip Groshong

Opera in the park

Opera fans were treated to hits from opera and musical theater on a picture-perfect evening in OTR’s Washington Park.

Photos by Philip Groshong

don giovanni

Our first production of the season, Mozart’s riveting Don Giovanni captured the adoration of audience members.

Photos by Philip Groshong

Don Giovanni – Elliot Madore
Donna Anna – Jessica Faselt
Donna Elvira – Jessica Rivera
Don Ottavio – Aaron Blake
Leporello – Christian Pursell
Zerlina – Erin Keesy
Masetto – Joseph Parrish
Commendatore – Patrick Guetti
Conductor – Dame Jane Glover
Stage Director – Alison Moritz
Scenic & Costume Designer – Philip Witcomb
Lighting Designer – Thomas C. Hase
Wig & Makeup Designer – James Geier
Chorus Master – Henri Venanzi
Choreographer – Yoshihisa Arai

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus

Community open dress rehearsal: la traviata

We welcomed the community into Music Hall for a special dress rehearsal of La Traviata.

Photos by Philip Groshong

La traviata

Audiences were dazzled by a lavish production of Verdi’s La Traviata, updated to 1920s Paris.

Photos by Philip Groshong

Violetta Valéry – Gilda Fiume
Alfredo Germont – Santiago Ballerini
Giorgio Germont – Anthony Clark Evans
Flora Bervoix – Taylor-Alexis Dupont
Gastone de Letorières – Demetrious Sampson, Jr.
Baron Douphol – Mike Young
Marquis d’Obigny – Thomas Dreeze
Doctor Grenvil – Samuel Smith
Annina – Tanya Harris
Messenger – Ivan Griffin
Conductor – Lorenzo Passerini
Stage Director – Trevore Ross
Scenic Designer – Desmond Heeley
Costume Designer – Chad Phillips
Lighting Designer – Thomas C. Hase
Wig & Makeup Designer – James Geier
Chorus Master – Henri Venanzi
Choreographer – Yoshihisa Arai

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, and Cincinnati Opera Chorus

pride night

Cincinnati Opera celebrated Pride with a fabulous and colorful fete in Music Hall’s Wilks Studio. Guests enjoyed drag performances, music, and a festive dance party.

Photos by Paige Pederzani

STUDIO SESSIONs

Stars from Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 season—Jacqueline Echols McCarley, Elliot Madore, and Jessica Rivera—enchanted audiences with bespoke recitals in the intimate setting of Music Hall’s Wilks Studio.

Photos by Philip Groshong and Mikki Schaffner

Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio

Patrons were moved and inspired by the world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio.

Photos by Philip Groshong

Shanty – Andrew Owens
Mary Dee – Jacqueline Echols McCarley
Miss Inkley/Chief Mourner/Nurse – Kayleigh Decker
Headmaster/Preacher/Mr. Dingle – Kevin Short
Conductor – Joseph Young
Stage Director – Caroline Clegg
Set & Costume Designer – Leslie Travers
Lighting Designer – Thomas C. Hase
Wig & Makeup Designer – James Geier
Choreographer – Michael Pappalardo
Chorus Master – Henri Venanzi

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Boychoir, and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus

To sir, with love

The magic of McCartney inspired Cincinnati Opera’s To Sir, With Love, a night of music, drinks, and dancing.

Photos by Tony Bailey

Media Stories

Opera Wire: Paul McCartney, Elliot Madore & Gilda Fiume Lead Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Season

By Francisco Salazar

Cincinnati Magazine: Giving Opera a New Spirit

By Sarah McCosham

Movers & Makers: Cincinnati Opera, Partners Work to 'Get Paul (McCartney) to Music Hall'

By Casey Weldon

CityBeat: Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Season Includes Original Work by Paul McCartney

By Anne Arenstein

Cincinnati Business Courier: CCM's Elliot Madore brings Nuance to bad boy Don Giovanni in Cincinnati Opera Production

By Janelle Gelfand

EarRelevant: Cincinnati Opera launches its 2024 Summer Festival, promises grandeur and innovation

By Mark Gresham

Cincinnati Business Courier:

Cincinnati Opera's production of 'Don Giovanni' balances tragedy, comedy

Review by Janelle Gelfand

Cincinnati Business Courier: Love, loss and hope: Cast members connect with emotional story of McCartney’s ‘Liverpool Oratorio’

By Janelle Gelfand

Cincinnati Enquirer: 'This is the real thing.' The origin story of 'Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio' opera

By David Lyman

Billboard: Paul McCartney Sends Special Message to Cincinnati at Debut of ‘Liverpool Oratorio’ Opera: ‘I Love That You’re Doing It There’

By Gil Kaufman

WCPO: Singalong in honor of Paul McCartney

By WCPO-TV

Local12:

Cincinnati Opera reimagines Paul McCartney's 'Liverpool Oratorio'

By Kyle Inskeep

That’s So Cincinnati (podcast): Interview with Cincinnati Opera General Director & CEO Chris Milligan

By Sharon Coolidge

spotted at the opera

Cincinnati Opera fans looked amazing at Music Hall, and we loved seeing them!

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