Pre-Opera Talks

Perfect for newcomers, opera aficionados or anyone in between, our pre-opera talks provide an engaging 20-minute overview of the opera. Learn about the opera’s music, characters, composer and historical background from a music expert.

Live pre-opera talks occur 55 minutes prior to each performance. Audio recorded pre-opera talks can be found on the details page for each opera once they are available (usually the week of the opening).

New Pre-Opera Talks arrive throughout the season!

A man with curly hair in a suit is sitting in a chair next to a woman wearing a white blouse and gold skirt. They are holding up paper scripts.

2023–24 Season Pre-Opera Talks

Il Trovatore (Sep 12-Oct 1)

Kip Cranna

The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs (Sep 22-Oct 7)

Jessica Bejarano

Lohengrin (Oct 15-Nov 1)

Peter Susskind

Omar (Nov 5–Nov 21)

Michael Mohammed

The Elixir of Love (Nov 19-Dec 9)

Marcia Green

The Magic Flute (May 30-Jun 30)

Robert Hartwell

Innocence (June 1-21)

Alla Gladysheva

Fall 2023
Il Trovatore, Kip Cranna (Sep 12–Oct 1)
The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, Jessica Bejarano (Sep 22–Oct 7)
Lohengrin, Peter Susskind  (Oct 15–Nov 1)
Omar, Michael Mohammed  (Nov 5–Nov 21)
The Elixir of Love, Marcia Green (Nov 19–Dec 9)

Summer 2024
The Magic Flute, Robert Hartwell (May 30–Jun 30, 2024)
Innocence, Alla Gladysheva (Jun 1–Jun 21, 2024)
Partenope, Cole-Thomason-Redus  (Jun 15–June 28, 2024)

Previous Seasons

More PRE-OPERA TALKS