Katherine Beck as Rosina, Lunga Eric Hallam as Count Almaviva, Takaoki Onishi as Figaro, Matthew Anchel as Doctor Bartolo, Stefan Egerstrom as Don Basilio, and Katherine Henly as Berta in The Barber of Seville
RENEWAL, RESILIENCE, AND INSPIRED POSSIBILITY
Throughout 2025, Minnesota Opera demonstrated a steadfast commitment to thriving in a new era for the performing arts— one defined by creativity, adaptability, and a renewed focus on connection. As audience expectations shift and the arts landscape continues to evolve, MN Opera is embracing bold ideas, nurturing new voices, and seeking fresh ways to engage patrons both inside the theater and throughout the community.
This year’s achievements showcase a company that is not only innovating onstage, but also expanding its reach through meaningful partnerships, accessible programming, and immersive experiences that welcome people of all ages and backgrounds into the world of opera. From the development of new works to deepened community engagement and the strengthening of Minnesota’s creative workforce, we are building a future where opera remains vibrant, relevant, and inclusive.
With donor and funder support, MN Opera continues to imagine what is possible—and to create art that reflects and inspires the communities we serve.
The Snowy Day : Making Magic and Community Connections
Childhood Joy Takes Centerstage.
Intimate, Artist-Driven Experiences at the Luminary Arts Center
The New MNOP+ Series Brings Audiences and Artists Closer Together.
Revitalizing The Barber of Seville and Nurturing Future Artists
A Brilliant Classic Gets Polished for an Enduring Future.
The New Works Initiative Preparing for Three World Premieres in the New Year. 10
A Thriving, CommunityCentered Home for Creativity in Year Three
The Luminary Arts Center Continues with a Focus on Community
Inspiring Connection at Every Age
Fostering a Love of the Art Form at Every Stage of Life.
Planting Minnesota’s Talent on Stages Nationwide Minnesota’s Craftmanship Flourishes on National Stages. 15
Celebrating 40 Years at the Ordway 16
Reflecting on Decades of Partnership, Collaboration, and Community Impact.
Reimagining a Classic for a Modern Audience
Contemporary Flair and Audience Engagement Bring Così fan tutte into the 21st Century. 18
THE SNOWY DAY : MAKING MAGIC AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
I n
timeless illustrated classic. Thompson’s full orchestration magnified the scale of Peter’s snowy world, pairing musical richness with the production’s expansive visual landscape. Andrea Davis Pinkney’s expressive libretto, infused with Spanish language and Dominican bachata influences, added cultural vibrancy and emotional nuance to Peter’s journey.
The production featured several MN Opera Resident Artists performing alongside prominent guest artists from around the country. Beyond the theater, The Snowy Day inspired significant community engagement. The Impact team hosted a literacy festival in partnership with local libraries, centering musical literacy and celebrating the power of storytelling through sound and language.
Following the final performance, children and families were invited onstage to explore the set, take photos with the cast in costume, participate in a lively Q&A, and leave with gift bags filled with books, coloring pages, and hot chocolate. We extended our ongoing partnership with Tickets for Kids to welcome low-income and at-risk youth, creating a joyful, unforgettable experience for families across the community.
February 2025, Minnesota Opera proudly presented The Snowy Day with a newly expanded orchestration by composer Joel Thompson, bringing fresh depth and a sense of sweeping wonder to Ezra Jack Keats’
INTIMATE, ARTIST-DRIVEN EXPERIENCES AT THE LUMINARY ARTS CENTER
M
innesota Opera’s inaugural MNOP+ series in 2024–2025 offered audiences an unprecedented opportunity to engage closely with artists in the intimate Luminary Arts Center, highlighting both the process and the artistry behind every performance. Designed to bring patrons closer to the performers and creative minds of MN Opera, the first season of MNOP+ celebrated the depth, versatility, and passion of the Resident Artist Program and members of the MN Opera Chorus.
The season opened in November 2024 with Songs of Sun & Snow , featuring tenor Evan LeRoy Johnson and pianist and Principal Coach and Chorus Director, Celeste Marie Johnson performing works by Respighi, Sibelius, Puccini, and Tchaikovsky.
In December, bass David Leigh and Mario Antonio Marra, Director of Music and the Resident Artist Program, explored Russian and American repertoire in Evening of Russian and American Songs . February brought Notte Napulitano , a curated celebration of Neapolitan music with Resident Artists, and Nymphs, Spinners, & Witches highlighting 24 talented soprano and alto artists of our MN Opera Chorus who performed eclectic scenes from Rusalka , Cendrillon , Macbeth , and
more. Warm Embrace in early March combined classical and jazz textures with soprano Ann Toomey and Joseph Li, Vice President of Artistic, at the piano. The series concluded with a Resident Artists Recital curated by Mario Antonio Marra, spotlighting the full cohort.
MNOP+ is a celebration of the artists who make this company what it is,” said Li. With accessible ticket prices, shorter programs, and a welcoming setting, MNOP+ gave audiences an up-close, immersive experience that deepened connection to MN Opera’s artists and their craft.
REVITALIZING THE BARBER OF SEVILLE AND NURTURING FUTURE ARTISTS
M innesota Opera’s 2025 production of The Barber of Seville celebrated not only Rossini’s comic brilliance but also the enduring legacy of one of the company’s most beloved productions. Originally developed in 1995, this staging has become MN Opera’s most frequently requested production nationwide, with an extraordinary 32 presentations across the country since its premiere. This year, we invested in a major refurbishment—revitalizing the set and creating an entirely new costume package—extending the life of this treasured production for another generation of artists and audiences.
The Barber of Seville holds particular meaning within the lineage of the company, in particular, for our Resident Artist Program. Two and a half decades ago, near the end of his tenure as a Resident Artist, Ryan Taylor, President and General Director, performed the role of Figaro on the very set. His experience reflects the heart of the program: a place where young singers hone their craft, build lasting artistic relationships, and find pathways into meaningful careers. The 2025 production continued that legacy, including Resident Artist Kara Morgan making her role debut as Rosina. Morgan was trained by Adriana Zabala— who also made her debut with MN Opera as Rosina opposite Taylor’s Figaro, demonstrating the ongoing mentorship and multigenerational impact fostered by MN Opera.
By restoring The Barber of Seville , we are conserving and celebrating our history as a producer of extraordinary sets and costumes while ensuring that this sparkling, joyful production continues to delight audiences for decades to come.
THE NEW WORKS INITIATIVE: PREPARING FOR THREE WORLD PREMIERES
This is a landmark year for Minnesota Opera’s New Works Initiative (NWI), as we prepare to launch the program’s first three world premieres in 2026. These bold new creations showcase the ingenuity and artistic range of the
entire six-member cohort. In January, My Name is Florence —a deeply moving chamber opera illuminating the life and music of Florence Price— opens with lyrical power and historical resonance. February brings the first song cycle, Liebestorte , a witty and inventive work rooted in the 19th century tradition whose spirited storytelling culminates in a literal pie-to-the-face moment. In November, the groundbreaking adaptation of Ram V’s graphic novel The Many Deaths of Laila Starr will bring its epic world to the stage —and become the first opera by two women of South Asian descent.
While audiences will soon experience these new works fully realized, their development began in 2022. Over the past several years, the projects have evolved through libretto readings, piano and orchestral workshops, and rigorous rounds of artistic refinement. This process—rarely visible to the public—reflects the deep collaboration, experimentation, and craft required to expand the American operatic canon.
In 2025 alone, MN Opera convened multiple workshops that united singers, composers, writers, Principal Conductor Christopher Franklin, MN Opera Orchestra musicians, and production teams in intensive creative exploration. Together with countless hours of work beyond the rehearsal room, these efforts mark a celebratory milestone for the company and community. Supporting the creation of new opera has been central to MN Opera since its founding more than six decades ago, and the NWI proudly carries that commitment into the future.
New Works in Development
January 2026 | My Name is Florence B. E. Boykin, composer
Harrison David Rivers, librettist
February 2026 | Liebestorte
David Hanlon, composer
John de los Santos, librettist
October 2026 | The Many Deaths of Laila Starr
Kamala Sankaram, composer
Minita Gandhi, librettist
January 2027 | Misery
Kamala Sankaram, composer
John de los Santos, librettist
This program affords a freedom as an artist—one that we need in order to create. It allows for the truest form of art to come out.”
—Minita Gandhi
New Works Initiative Creative Cohort (Minita Gandhi, Harrison David Rivers, Kamala Sankaram, John de los Santos, B. E. Boykin, and David Hanlon) at the
n its third year of operation, the Luminary Arts Center has continued to shine as a vibrant, community-centered home for creativity, connection, and collaboration welcoming over 21,000 audience members and hosting over 160 performances in 2025. Designed with intention and grounded in Minnesota Opera’s core values, the Luminary has proven its concept as a flexible, communityinformed space that welcomes artists and audiences of all backgrounds. This year’s strong, 76% occupancy rate and consistently positive renter feedback affirm the success of the Luminary’s business model and the growing demand for accessible, supportive arts spaces in our region.
A defining feature of the Luminary is its holistic approach to supporting rental organizations. Our renter packages remain inclusive and adaptable, offering the feel of concierge-level support without prohibitive costs and allowing each organization to shape the space to its own unique vision. We support many of our renters by offering full box office and ticketing services, front of house management, and various avenues of technical support. This ensures our renters’ artistic work is both sustainable and successful.
The staff at the Luminary is exceptionally helpful and truly goes above and beyond to ensure guests have an outstanding experience… The theater itself is beautiful and well-maintained, with excellent sound quality and a polished, professional atmosphere. It’s a space that elevates any performance, and we’re always excited to return!”
—Touching Two Worlds
The Luminary’s concessions program also reflects our values, featuring a menu of locally sourced treats that celebrates the richness of our community. This is a place where many forms of art—dance, theater, opera, film, community festivals, and more—can flourish, and where community input and partnership guide every step forward.
INSPIRING CONNECTION AT EVERY AGE
Minnesota Opera’s Impact programming delivers joyful, accessible, community-centered arts experiences that nurture curiosity and connection across all ages. From early childhood through older adulthood, these initiatives foster equity and creativity and expand access to the arts. Highlights include NOOMA —an opera experience for children ages 0-2 and their caregivers, Stories Sing programs in Saint Paul libraries, monthly Youth Opera Workshops, and the Community Music Advancement Initiative, which supports BIPOC youth-serving organizations through instruction, performance support, and mentorship. Our current partnering organization is ComMUSICation.
Older adults engage through our Creative Aging Initiative with programs like Harmony in Residence and Opera Connections, a four-week course that engages residents of senior living communities in the season’s productions. Events like Black
Community Leaders Night and Offstage continue to provide spaces that spark dialogue around culture and representation.
This year, MN Opera also welcomed more than 1,000 students to the Ordway to experience opera. With generous support from the Twin Cities Opera Guild, students from K-12 schools attended final dress rehearsals free of charge, enhanced by pre-show talks that linked classroom learning to themes onstage. Partnerships with surrounding universities and organizations like Project Success and Tickets for Kids offered free or discounted tickets for high school and college students and their families, creating creating an inviting and affordable entry point into the art form. Together, these programs deepen community relationships, broaden participation, and cultivate the opera audiences—and artists—of tomorrow.
PLANTING MINNESOTA’S TALENT ON STAGES NATIONWIDE
Minnesota Opera’s costume and scene shops are nationally respected creative hubs whose work extends far beyond our own stages. Over the last three years, our artisans have built sets and costumes for companies such as Atlanta Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Penumbra Theatre, Santa Fe Opera, and Theater Latté Da, while also supporting a wide range of our own production rentals that travel to other companies across the country—from The Barber of Seville and Carmen to La bohème and Fellow Travelers . This growing portfolio not only showcases the exceptional skill of our local craftspeople but also generates essential earned revenue that helps sustain our artistic work here at home.
Because MN Opera’s teams understand the tight timelines and technical demands
of opera and theater production, partner companies rely on us for both high-quality craftsmanship and collaborative problemsolving. Our teams tailor each project— whether a one-time build, a long-term rental, or a complex touring production—to meet the specific needs of the end users. For smaller companies, we also often serve as advisors or technical directors, ensuring their productions have the support they need.
This work allows us to keep Minnesota’s creative workforce employed for more consistent cycles and preserve the level of expertise required for our own productions. In an industry where many shops have closed since the pandemic, these partnerships strengthen our local arts ecosystem and reinforce MN Opera’s reputation as a leader in theatrical artistry.
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS AT THE ORDWAY
In 2025, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts reached a remarkable milestone—40 years as a vibrant hub for the performing arts in downtown Saint Paul. Minnesota Opera has been proud to call the Ordway our performance home throughout this time, benefiting from a unique model of collaboration known as the Arts Partnership.
The Arts Partnership is a strategic alliance of four performing arts organizations: Minnesota Opera, Ordway, Schubert Club, and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. A separate 501c3 organization, this alliance ensures the equitable sharing and effective care of the Ordway Center, the performing home of the four Arts Partnership members and a vital Twin Cities cultural asset that connects hundreds of thousands of community members and artists annually.
Over 20 years, the Arts Partnership has grown to be a highly successful distinct nonprofit entity enabling four equal partner organizations to maximize the impact of their shared performance home.
The Arts Partnership fosters close collaboration and strategic planning across organizations, allowing each to thrive individually while contributing to the health of the broader arts ecosystem and enhancing the vibrancy of downtown Saint Paul. Through this partnership, MN Opera not only benefits from a world-class performance space but also helps advance a model of shared stewardship, innovation, and community engagement. The Ordway’s 40-year legacy is a testament to what can be achieved when arts organizations work collaboratively to create lasting cultural and civic impact.
REIMAGINING A CLASSIC FOR A MODERN AUDIENCE
Minnesota Opera’s 2025 production of Così fan tutte invited audiences to experience a beloved Mozart comedy in a fresh, contemporary way. Set in a vibrant Minneapolis-inspired world, the scenic and costume design drew from the city’s iconic breweries, creative agencies, and lively nightlife, creating a playful and distinctly local backdrop that connected the centuries-old story to our modern lives.
This production introduced audience voting at intermission to determine the ending of this often critiqued, yet humorous, plot. Audiences were asked if the couples should stay together, sever ties, or swap partners. This question generated audience engagement, lively conversations, and anticipation that could be felt in the music theater. Restaging the ending afforded the women agency in the relationship decisions. And the audience was definitive in their wishes for the couples. While
opening night votes concluded the couples should stay together, the following performances resulted in a resounding decision—these couples are not made for each other. Survey responses highlighted the fun, participatory nature of the experience, the fantastic singing, and the humor and cleverness of the modernized translation visible through the supertitles.
This production also showcased Minnesota talent at its finest, employing dozens of local singers, instrumentalists, artisans, and technicians— including Resident Artists, the MN Opera Orchestra led by Christopher Franklin, and MN Opera Chorus members. By reimagining a classic with contemporary flair and audience engagement, Così fan tutte demonstrates how opera can remain vibrant, relevant, and fully alive for modern audiences.
LEGACY CIRCLE
The following lists donors who, through their foresight and generosity, have included Minnesota Opera in their wills or estate plans.
Anonymous (4)
Mary Abbe
Paul and Val Ackerman
Thomas O. Allen
Arlene Alm
Dr. and Mrs. Rolf Andreassen*
Mary A. Andres
Marcia J. Aubineau
Karen O. Bachman
Thomas and Ann Bagnoli
Patricia Beithon
Carol J. Bergeson
Susan Boren and Steve King
Al Bradley
Arthur Brindley
Richard D. Brunning*
C.T. Bundy II*
Roma Calatayud-Stocks and Dr. Thomas Stocks
Margaret M. Carasik
George and Joan Carlson
Richard and Darlene Carroll
Robert Clough
Dan and Julia Cross
NAMED ENDOWMENT FUNDS
The following endowment funds, created by visionary and generous donors, continue the work of Minnesota Opera for future generations.
Art of Singing Endowment Fund
To support exceptional training for Resident Artists by providing learning opportunities with leading artists and experts.
Sara and Jock Donaldson
Julia W. Dayton*
Margaret DiBlasio*
Anne P. Ducharme*
Dr. Mary Anne Ebert and Paul Stembler
Rondi Erickson and Sandy Lewis*
Ann Fankhanel
Ester Fesler
Salvatore Silvestri Franco
Daniel E. Freeman
Charles J. Frisch
Dr. Paul Froeschl
Katy Gaynor
Myrtle Grette*
Michelle Hackett
Russell and Priscilla Hankins
Anne Hanley and George Skinner
Jean M. Holten*
Tom Huberty and Elizabeth Watkins
John Humleker and Cordelia Anderson
Kathleen and Robert Humphrey
Diane and Paul Jacobson
Dr. Charles and Sally Jorgensen
Dr. Robert and Susan Josselson
John Junek
Dr. Markle Karlen
Warren and Patty Kelly
Blaine and Lyndel King
Sally and Bill Kling
Larry Klueh
Gisela Knoblauch
Liz and Jim* Krezowski
Barbara White Bemis Fund for Artistic Enhancement
To enhance the quality of performances by providing funds to engage singers who have received awards through the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
Daniel E. Freeman Endowment Fund
To support Minnesota Opera’s education programs.
Dolly Fiterman Fund for New Production Opera Design
To support the creation of new productions by providing funds to engage designers and create new sets.
Dr. Robert L. Kriel and Dr. Linda E. Krach
Robert and Venetia Kudrle
Christl and Andrew Larson
Jim Lawser and Duane Bandel
Mary Ash and Barry Lazarus
Robert L. Lee* and Mary E. Schaffner
Gerald and Joyce Lillquist
Dawn M. Loven
David MacMillan* and Judith Krow
Tim Manych
Barbara McBurney
Mary McDiarmid
Mary Bigelow McMillan*
Robert* and Roberta* Megard
Margaret Meyers*
John L. Michel and H. Berit Midelfort
Karla Miller
Kay Ness and Chris Wolohan
Richard and Joan Newmark
Scott J. Pakudaitis
Derrill Pankow
Debra Joyce Paterson
Jose A. Peris and Diana Gulden
Sydney Phillips*
Tim and Mary Pieh
Phyllis Price
Brian and Patricia Prokosch
Liane A. Rosel
Ken Rothchild*
Mary Savina
Jon L. Schasker* and Debbie Carlson
Josef Schermann
Founders Endowment Fund
To support new and innovative opera performances that honor the spirit, energy, and creativity of the founders in the beginning days of the Center Opera.
Mary Abbe Nina Archabal
Joan Jacobs Rubenfeld Memorial Fund
To support the attendance of high school students at MN Opera performances.
Minnesota Opera Center Preservation Fund
To support Opera Center building improvements. The Preservation Fund recognizes the legacies of Judson Bemis and Kevin Smith, who through their leadership created the Opera Center.
COMMEMORATIVE GIFTS
The following lists donors who have made gifts in honor or in memory of a loved one between September 1, 2024 –December 1, 2025.
IN HONORARIUM
Rebecca Arons
William Kindler
Arnold Burton
Shark Industries, LTD
Siena Forest
Katelin Richter Davis and David Davis
Erin Flannery and Ryan Weston
Colleen and Gregg Nelson
Emily Skoblik-Diallo and Samballa Diallo
Celeste Marie Johnson
David and Suzanne Johnson
Donna and Marvin Ortquist
Orpha McDiarmid
Mary McDiarmid
Mary H. and Christian G. Schrock
Duane and Pamela Schroeder
Dr. Frank and Lynda Sharbrough
Gale Sharpe
Robert Shearer and Joan Gustafson
Sue Shepard
Drew Stewart and Anna Hargreaves
Virginia and Edward Stringer
Gregory Swinehart and Mitra Walter
Ryan Taylor
Dr. Anthony Thein
John and Jill Thompson
Stephanie C. Van D’Elden
H. Bernt von Ohlen and W. Thomas Nichol
Lola Watson
Kathleen Welander
William White
Jean C. Wirsig*
Harvey Zuckman and Philip Oxman
For more information on making estate plan arrangements, please contact Erin Flannery at eflannery@mnopera.org
* in remembrance
Valerie and Paul Ackerman Endowment Fund
To support the attendance of youth at Minnesota Opera performances.
Virginia L. Stringer Endowment of the Minnesota Resident Artist Program
To support the Resident Artist Program. The appearance of the Resident Artists in this production is made possible by this endowment fund.
William Randolph Hearst Endowment for Education and Outreach Programs
To support Minnesota Opera’s education and outreach programs.
Barton Reed and Lexi Reed
Peter and Rita Reed
Lexi Reed
Natalia Callero
Rick and Deb Karulf
Mary H. and Christian G. Schrock
Mari Carlson
Emily Skoblik-Diallo
Theresa, Jim and Nicole Murray
IN MEMORIAM
Judson and Barbara Bemis
Sandra Roe
Stephen Blake
Laura Silver and Jeff Hertzberg
Gus Blanchard
Ruth and John Huss
Theresa and Jim Murray
Judith Brindley
Arthur E. Brindley
Sarah Cox
Thomas Cox
Kathryn M. Cunningham
Mary H. and Christian G. Schrock
Robert Christian Davidson Charme Sturkie Davidson
Adele DiGiovanna Cathleen Roth
Terrance Dolan Joel Bernard Barton and Kimberly Reed
Beryl and Jerry Halldorson Mark and Lana Halldorson
Lucille Jansen Joe and Lisa Thiegs
Scott Krenz
Emerson L. Williams Jeffrey Kogle Hannah Tjoflat Robert L. Lee
Chalfant
and Jock Donaldson
Fankhanel Carrie Hefte Dawn M. Loven
Meuers
Jim and Nicole Murray
Ness and Chris Wolohan Barton and Kimberly Reed
MINNESOTA OPERA GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES ITS MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORTERS:
