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).

Carmen La Bohème Idomeneo

The Pre-Opera Talk for Carmen is now available!

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.

2024–25 Season Pre-Opera Talks

Un Ballo in Maschera (Sep 6-Sep 27)

Kip Cranna

The Handmaid's Tale (Sep 14-Oct 1)

Christabel Nunoo

Tristan and Isolde (Oct 19-Nov 5)

Peter Susskind

Beethoven 9 (Oct 26)

Jessica Bejarano

Carmen (Nov 13–Dec 1)

Michael Mohammed

La Bohème (Jun 3-Jun 21)

Robert Hartwell

Fall 2024
Un Ballo in Maschera, Kip Cranna (Sep 6-Sep 27)
The Handmaid's Tale, Christabel Nunoo (Sep 14-Oct 1)
Tristan and Isolde, Peter Susskind (Oct 19-Nov 5)
Beethoven 9, Jessica Bejarano (Oct 26)
Carmen, Michael Mohammed (Nov 13–Dec 1)

Summer 2025
La Bohème, Robert Hartwell (Jun 3-Jun 21)
Idomeneo, TBD (Jun 14–Jun 25)

Previous Seasons

More PRE-OPERA TALKS