Cincinnati, Ohio—In anticipation of its 2023 Summer Festival, Cincinnati Opera announces a fresh lineup of free community conversations featuring engaging speakers exploring topics related to the season’s operas: Lucia di Lammermoor, The Knock, The Barber of Seville, and Madame Butterfly. Upcoming community events include new additions to Cincinnati Opera’s popular Opera Raps education series and a DEIA-focused panel discussion on the creation of the company’s groundbreaking new production of Madame Butterfly.
See below for details. For more information on Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival and community programming, visit cincinnatiopera.org.
Evans Mirageas
Opera Rap: 2023 Season Preview
When:
Tuesday, March 28, 2023, 7 p.m.
Where:
Corbett Tower, Cincinnati Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Description:
Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, offers an introduction to Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival, including an overview of the season’s featured operas: The Knock, The Barber of Seville, and Madame Butterfly, and a deeper dive into the opening production, Lucia di Lammermoor. Evans will be joined by singers and instrumentalists performing live musical excerpts highlighting the diverse cultures that have inspired each opera.
Admission:
Free; reservations required. To reserve, visit cincinnatiopera.org or call the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742.
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Hilary Poriss
Opera Rap: The Barber of Seville
When:
Wednesday, April 19, 2023, 7 p.m.
Where:
Presidents’ Garret, Corbett Opera Center at Cincinnati Music Hall
1243 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Description:
Hilary Poriss, associate professor of music at Northeastern University and author of Gioachino Rossini's The Barber of Seville (Oxford University Press, 2021), provides a glimpse into the creation and colorful history of this supremely silly all-time favorite. She’ll be joined by Cincinnati Opera artists performing live musical excerpts from the opera.
Admission:
Free; reservations required. To reserve, visit cincinnatiopera.org or call the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742.
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Opera Rap: The Knock
When:
Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 7 p.m.
Where:
Fort Thomas Armory Mess Hall
801 Cochran Street, Fort Thomas, KY 41075
Description:
This summer, Cincinnati Opera presents the world stage premiere of The Knock, an intimate new opera that explores the dramatic stories of military families awaiting news of their spouses during conflict abroad. Evans Mirageas will be joined by local military experts to discuss the true stories that inspired the opera and explore the lives of American military families. The event will also feature live musical selections. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy food trucks and craft beer vendors at the Fort Thomas Farmers Market, beginning at 3 p.m.
Admission:
Free; reservations required. To reserve, visit cincinnatiopera.org or call the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742.
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Krohn Conservatory
Opera Rap: Taking Flight
When:
Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 8 p.m.
Where:
Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Description:
Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly is one of the best-loved works in all of opera, and it has received both traditional and contemporary interpretations throughout its long performance history. Evans Mirageas will discuss the concept behind Cincinnati Opera’s inventive new production of Madame Butterfly, which will premiere in July 2023, and he’ll be joined by artists performing live musical excerpts from the opera. After the presentation, guests will receive complimentary, private admission to the Krohn Conservatory’s annual Butterfly Show.
Admission:
Free; reservations required. To reserve, visit cincinnatiopera.org or call the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742.
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Cynthia Amnéus
Opera Rap: The Real Butterfly
When:
Thursday, June 15, 2023, 6 p.m.
Where:
Fath Auditorium, Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Description:
For Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 production of Madame Butterfly, costume design is a key piece of the opera’s storytelling, indicating a character’s geographic provenance, social status, and economic opportunity. Evans Mirageas will be joined by Cynthia Amnéus, Chief Curator and Curator of Fashion Arts and Textiles for the Cincinnati Art Museum, to discuss the making and meaning of traditional Japanese garments. After the presentation, guests will be invited to view authentic Japanese clothing and other pieces from the museum’s collection of Japanese art.
Admission:
Free; reservations required. To reserve, visit cincinnatiopera.org or call the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742.
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DEIA Panel Discussion: Madame Butterfly
When:
Tuesday, July 18, 7 p.m.
Where:
Mercantile Library
414 Walnut Street - #1100, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Description:
Madame Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini’s heartrending opera about a young Japanese girl who falls in love with a U.S. serviceman, has long been considered a masterpiece. Yet, it presents unique challenges for contemporary artists and audiences, as many past productions have relied on negative cultural and gender stereotypes in their storytelling. Expert panelists will discuss Cincinnati Opera’s groundbreaking new production, which is being developed by an all-Japanese and Japanese American creative team, along with the value of telling Butterfly’s story in a brand-new way. This event is presented by Cincinnati Opera Center Stage, a group of young professional opera fans.
Admission:
Free; reservations required. To reserve, visit cincinnatiopera.org or call the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742.
About Cincinnati Opera
Cincinnati Opera’s mission is to enrich and connect our community through diverse opera experiences. Founded in 1920 and the second-oldest opera company in the nation, Cincinnati Opera presents a thrilling season of grand opera every summer and engaging programs throughout the year. The company’s repertoire includes beloved classics and contemporary masterworks brought to life by some of the world’s most dynamic performers and creative artists.
Opera Raps are sponsored by The Evelo|Singer|Sullivan Group, Merrill Private Wealth.
Season Presenting Sponsor for Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival is Chavez Properties. Cincinnati Opera is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. Cincinnati Opera also receives general season support from the Ohio Arts Council, The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust, and the Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation, along with general season and project support from many other generous individuals, corporations, and foundations. Support for The Knock is provided by the Mellon Foundation. The Knock is also supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts; to find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov. Lead Sponsors for Madame Butterfly are Sheila and Christopher Cole. Cincinnati Opera is a proud member of OPERA America.
To learn more, visit cincinnatiopera.org.
Media contact:
Katie Syroney / ksyroney@cincinnatiopera.org / 513-768-5526
High-resolution images available by request.