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Art is a Verb is a celebration of the beauty of opera and an exploration of the power it has to change the world. This world premiere delves into the artists’ journey to opera as an artform, the kind of influence art can have during tumultuous times, and much more. Learn more about the creation of this brand-new opera by composer B.E. Boykin and librettist and dramaturg Harrison Rivers.

This fall, we welcomed Lee Bynum to the Minnesota Opera family as the Vice President of our newly created Impact department. Recently, he wrote an important article entitled Marching Onward: Notions of Racial Uplift in Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha.
 
 
 

“This company knew before I returned four and a half years ago how to make it through a season, when it was time to plan, when it was time to execute, when it was time to perform, when it was time to engage with education events. What [COVID] has done is force us to lose all of that rhythm and all of those habits and really think about what’s next.” – MN Opera President and General Director Ryan Taylor.

It’s Latinx Heritage Month! Recently, we sat down with several Latinx members of the MN Opera family to talk about how their Latinx identities have impacted their opera careers and what they would like to see change in the opera industry with regard to Latinx representation. First up, incomparable Cuban-American mezzo-soprano, Adriana Zabala.

Alex Ross from The New Yorker writes that Wagner’s music “has infiltrated every phase of movie history.” Discussing Wagner’s influence on everything from early silent films to modern Hollywood blockbusters, Ross covers a variety of topics. Read this article then purchase tickets for Minnesota Opera’s Das Rheingold, available to stream starting November 14.

Have you ever dreamed of getting on stage and singing in an opera chorus? Join MN Opera Chorus Master Andrew Whitfield as he takes you through each voice part of La Traviata’s famous “Brindisi” chorus and then sing along as you listen to the broadcast.

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a costume designer at the Opera? Take a peek backstage and learn all about what goes into creating the gorgeous costumes and fabulous wigs that grace our stage.

If you need a new book and you want to take a deep dive into the rich history of opera, MN Opera recommends our top five favorite opera reads. Explore our list and discover new people, places, and interesting facts to impress your friends!
 
 
 

Recently, MN Opera favorite soprano Karen Slack was a part of an important and timely conversation about race in opera hosted by LA Opera, moderated by mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, and featured in The New York Times. Learn more about why inclusion and racial diversity in opera is so vital to the health of our art form and then check out Karen’s weekly live Facebook chat show, “Kiki Konversations.”

Want to learn more about the evolution of opera? Check out this guide with curated excerpts from five of the major eras of the artform: Baroque, Classical, Bel Canto, Romantic, and Modern.
 

Next spring, MN Opera’s Project Opera will present the world premiere of The Song Poet, an opera based on local author Kao Kalia Yang’s story of her family’s journey from the mountains of Laos to the snowy streets of St. Paul.

We couldn’t be prouder of our teams in the MN Opera Costume and Scene shops who are doing their part to help in this time of crisis by sewing masks for the healthcare workers serving on the frontlines.

A New York Times Feature

We’re incredibly proud of the MN Opera Costume and Scene shops who are sewing masks for community frontline workers. Read all about them using their talents to help in The New York Times!