2026 World Premiere Gala & Forte Awards
FOR THE FUTURE OF OPERA
SATURDAY OCTOBER 31 at 4:30PM
Celebrate the beginning of a new season with a festive evening of music, dinner, and community at Minnesota Opera’s World Premiere Gala. This one-night-only event welcomes opera lovers from far and wide to gather in support of the artists, creatives, and company that produce this one-of-a-kind art form. With a cocktail reception, a specially curated meal, awards, premium access to the season-opening world premiere of The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, and a lively after-party to close out the night, the evening offers an unforgettable experience for you and your guests – while securing a bright future for opera in Minnesota.
GALA
SPONSORSHIP
This joyous and exhilarating one-night-only celebration will honor MN Opera’s ongoing commitment to building the future of opera, making it possible to bring our mission to life—today and for generations to come. Sponsors will enjoy a table at the Gala dinner as well as first access to premium seating for the evening’s performance of The Many Deaths of Laila Starr at the Ordway, creating a seamless and unforgettable opening night experience for you and your guests.
ABOUT The Many Deaths of Laila Starr
Reincarnated. Resolute. Revolutionary. When the goddess of Death is cast down to Earth to live as a mortal named Laila Starr, the boundaries between the divine and the human begin to blur in this vivid, transporting world premiere from Kamala Sankaram and Minita Gandhi. The Many Deaths of Laila Starr was commissioned and developed through Minnesota Opera’s New Works Initiative, adapted from the acclaimed graphic novel by Ram V and Filipe Andrade. Infused with elements of Konnakol, Raga, and EDM, this fantasy on purpose and impermanence unfolds with both kinetic energy and striking clarity, as a god made mortal begins to see the world—and life itself—through fresh eyes.
EVENT DETAILS
Information about Locations, Evening Timeline, and more.
CATCH THE VIBE
Enjoy inspiration photos of what you can expect from an MN Opera Gala event: Stunning decorations, delicious food and drink, elegant and eye-catching sartorial choices, dynamic camaraderie with friends old and new, and much more!
Photos from FOR THE LOVE OF OPERA (2025) by Laura Alpizar
The Forte Award 2026
The Forte Award recognizes individuals and community partners for their significant impact on MN Opera’s mission and contributions to Minnesota’s arts community. The Forte Award honors deep involvement, service, and support. We recognize these recipients for their steadfast commitment to helping bring MN Opera’s mission into focus.
To register by phone please call 612-333-6669, M-Th 10am-5pm.
RSVP by October 16
THANK YOU
TO OUR GENEROUS OPENING NIGHT GALA SPONSORS
$15,000+ SPONSORS
Ruth and John Huss
Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad with Leni and David Moore
$10,000+ SPONSORS
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
$7,500+ SPONSORS
Jodi and Michael Mooney
Ascent Private Capital Management of U.S. Bank
Best Buy
Christopher Hermann and Brian Pietsch
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
$5,000+ SPONSORS
Karen O. Bachman
Kathleen and Jaff Baradaran
Gayle Fuguitt and Tom Veitch
Christl and Andrew Larson
Celita Levinson
Jeninne McGee
Ameriprise Financial
Ecolab
KPMG
McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC
McGough
Construction
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Midwest
Radiology