Opera— Anywhere, Anytime

OperaDelaware offers both accessible opera and full-scale productions in the First State

BY KERRIANN OTAÑO

THE TRULY AMAZING THING about opera is that it combines so many art forms into one spectacular night. There is the text, or libretto, that tells the story; the musical score, orchestra, lighting, and set design; and the dozens of singers, actors, and dancers working onstage to bring an opera to life. Behind the scenes are stage managers calling cues and crew members executing scene changes on dimly lit stages. Costumes, wigs, makeup, and props transport audiences through different time periods. Combine all of this with the joy of gathering for a few thrilling and precious nights of world-class storytelling, and you have something to put on your calendar months in advance.

Soprano Lindsay Ohse as the title character in Verdi’s La traviata at The Grand Opera House.

Opera is one more reason to make Delaware a destination!

Between performances at The Grand Opera House, OperaDelaware focuses on audience and community engagement by dismantling decades-old ideas about what opera “should” be and welcoming people to experience what opera is—remarkable, unforgettable, breathtaking, and, most importantly, made for everyone.

During the pandemic, OperaDelaware launched Pop-Up Opera in Delaware and made the entire state our stage. Complete with engaging trivia, bubble machines, a prize wheel, and a t-shirt cannon, OperaDelaware brings the same top-tier talent you’d experience in the opera house to our fire-engine red Portable Opera Stage for accessible and exceptional programming.

A fully funded Pop-Up Opera performance at Cape Henlopen High School, made possible by The Laffey-McHugh Foundation.

Whether we’re presenting accessible opera on our portable stage or full-scale productions at The Grand Opera House, OperaDelaware is a company focused on creating an unforgettable experience for everyone.

By the end of 2023, OperaDelaware will have performed at over 175 Pop-Up Opera locations in all three counties in Delaware. From schools and libraries to social service organizations and festivals, the Pop-Up Opera Mobile Stage transports this entrancing art form into the community and serves as a beacon drawing people closer to OperaDelaware year-round.

Pop-Up Opera is an entry point for curious newcomers, students, families, and lifelong fans to engage with opera in a fun and informal setting. By offering programming that is portable, OperaDelaware can sing to the state and draw people to our mainstage offerings, where their love affair with the art form will only deepen.

In the 2023/24 season, OperaDelaware will present two of opera’s most sumptuous titles, and thrill audiences in Delaware with the grandeur and excitement of live opera and a full orchestra at The Grand Opera House.

This fall, audiences will discover the captivating world of Verdi’s masterful Rigoletto, an unmissable gem that weaves together heart-wrenching drama with soaring, recognizable melodies. This timeless tale follows a tormented court jester as he navigates a treacherous world of power, love, and revenge. The riveting journey of passion and betrayal will leave you spellbound this October. Join OperaDelaware at The Grand Opera House for two decadent performances of Verdi’s Rigoletto on October 27 and 29. Don’t miss the Opening Night Microgala on October 27—a two-hour pre-performance party with poker, blackjack, champagne, a red carpet runway photoshoot, and Italian food to get you in the mood for an unforgettable night at the opera!

On May 17 and 19, 2024, indulge in the mesmerizing world of Puccini’s Turandot, a theatrical masterpiece that transports audiences to a mystical and opulent realm. This grand opera unfolds with breathtaking intensity as life and death hangs in the balance. With unforgettable arias like “Nessun dorma”, be prepared to be immersed in a world of passion, sacrifice, and redemption as you are enraptured by the melodies that have made Turandot one of opera’s most enduring titles. Be sure to get your tickets early and join us for the Opening Night Microgala on May 17!

Whether we’re presenting accessible opera on our portable stage or full-scale productions at The Grand Opera House, OperaDelaware is a company focused on creating an unforgettable experience for everyone. With projected English translations, pre-show talks, and behind-the-scenes content, you’ll fall in love with the music and magic of OperaDelaware. 

Kerriann Otaño is vice president of engagement at OperaDelaware. Visit operade.org to learn more.