OPERA THAT UNITES. Opera has the unique power to celebrate our common humanity and to create an unwavering bond between artists, audience, and community. Every piece and part harmoniously combine to create an opera season full of joy, vulnerability, love, laughter, and hope. We invite you to join us—the season won’t be the same without you!
La Rondine
Which Life Would You Choose? From the composer of Madame Butterfly and La Bohème, this rarely performed gem tells the story of an unlikely relationship between Magda, a high-society woman and a naïve, handsome poet. But the fate of their courtship is uncertain as Magda is torn between the life she wants and the life she knows. Puccini’s achingly beautiful score charmingly conveys the romantic bliss and irrational desires of unexpected lovers. Wistful and nostalgic, La Rondine revels in the gaiety of Paris, the stinging sorrow of regret, and the sensual richness of love.
Silent Night
A moment of peace in the midst of war. MN Opera’s international sensation makes its homecoming, honoring the centennial of World War I’s conclusion. Recounting a miraculous moment of peace during one of the bloodiest wars in human history, Scottish, French, and German officers defy their superiors and negotiate a Christmas Eve truce. The Pulitzer-Prize winning music underscores the yearning, despair, and hope of the soldiers living in the trenches. Silent Night masterfully juxtaposes the bombastic sounds of war with serene songs from home, and stands as a heartfelt hymn to our common humanity.
The Italian Straw Hat
Brimming with Laughs. This uproarious comedy, by the composer best known for The Godfather film scores, comes to Minnesota Opera for the first time ever. Groom-to-be Fadinard gallops around Paris on his wedding day in search of a straw hat to replace the one his horse has inadvertently eaten. The bright and breezy score perfectly captures the increasingly ridiculous situation that rides on the edge of chaos. After seeing this 1950s madcap romp, you’ll never look at a hat—or a night at the opera—the same way again!
The Fix
Shoeless Joe and the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. One of the most notorious scandals in American history comes to life in this new, major league opera. The 1919 Chicago White Sox were arguably the best team in the game, but they were also the most poorly paid, always at odds with their penny-pinching owner. Resentment, revenge, and ambition gone awry motivate the eight players to conspire with gamblers and fix the World Series. Featuring a lyrical, poetic score and legendary figures from baseball, The Fix is a tale of epic proportions about betting against the establishment, all set against the backdrop of America’s favorite pastime.
La Traviata
To Live and Die for Love. Verdi’s sumptuous melodies and timeless depiction of tragic love have made La Traviata an undeniable favorite for generations. Violetta, a glamorous courtesan, gives up everything for her devoted lover Alfredo—idyllic affair shattered by the stern demands of Alfredo’s father. From the frenzy of Violetta’s pleasure-filled life, to her heart-wrenching decision to leave her beloved—Verdi’s treasured opera is a captivating tribute to what it means to live and die for love.