24/25 SEASON
WELCOME TO PORTLAND OPERA’S SEASON
Join the celebration as the curtain rises on Portland Opera’s 60th Anniversary Season! For six decades, we’ve proudly been Portland’s opera company, bringing shared opera experiences to the city, region, and community we love.
As we move into a new artistic home this year, our opera season may be shorter, but our mission of sharing opera experiences that enliven and connect us all remains unchanged. This season, you’ll find emotion in every note. From hope and inspiration, to fear and horror, to joy and laughter — each moment is sure to captivate your imagination and take you on a transformational journey.
Let’s come together in a celebration of art, the human experience, and 60 years of Portland Opera. We hope you’ll join us at the opera!
The Marriage of Figaro (2023), photo by Christine Dong.
THE SHINING
NEWMARK THEATRE
MARCH 15, 19, 21, 23M, 2025
7:30 PM · 2:00 PM (M)ATINEE
Performed in English with English captions.
In this chilling tale, the Torrance family arrives at the remote Overlook Hotel as the off-season, winter caretakers, hoping for time to rest, write, and reconnect. But as the snow starts to fall, malevolent forces awaken within their new home and their son Danny, gifted with a sixth sense, starts experiencing terrifying visions. The pressure builds as his father Jack is consumed by the demons of his past — and the more dangerous ghosts of the Overlook. Experience an unnerving journey through madness and the supernatural in this gripping adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic novel.
With a score by Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winning composer Paul Moravec — this opera thrills while also including sweeping melodic moments. This stunning coproduction set in 1977 includes rich scenic design and vivid projections.
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM
Jack Torrance
Robert Wesley Mason
Wendy Torrance
Rebecca Krynski Cox
Mark Torrance
Richard Zeller
Dick Hallorann
Quinton Gardner
Music by Paul Moravec
Libretto by Mark Campbell
Based on the novel by Stephen King
Published by and presented with the permission of Subito Music Corporation
A Co-Production by Opera Parallèle, Hawai’i Opera Theatre, and Portland Opera
Original Stage Director
Brian Staufenbiel
Original Scenic Designer
Jacquelyn Scott
Original Projection
Designer
David Murakami
Original Lighting Designer
Jim French
Original Costume Designer
Alina Bokovikova
Original Wig & Make Up Designer Y. Sharon Peng
Conductor
Damien Geter
Stage Director
Erin Neff
With members of the Portland Opera Orchestra and Chorus. Also featuring local artists and the Portland Opera Resident Artists.
FALSTAFF
KELLER AUDITORIUM
MAY 10, 16, 18M, 2025
7:30 PM · 2:00 PM (M)ATINEE
Performed in Italian with English captions.
This fast-paced and rollicking comedy revolves around the witty yet scheming Sir John Falstaff. Vanity gets the better of our knight as he attempts to woo two wealthy married women with the hopes of financial gain. After sending identical love letters, Falstaff’s flimsy plan is revealed, and Alice Ford and Meg Page hatch a plan of their own to expose him. Merriment and mischief are at the heart of this opera, as our beloved buffoon endures humiliations (such as being thrown into the Thames in a laundry basket) but ultimately uncovers his humility and love prevails.
Verdi’s last opera and final masterpiece is considered the best comedic opera ever written—based on Shakespeare’s Henry IV and The Merry Wives of Windsor . This new semi-staged production reimagines Shakespeare’s Windsor with projections.
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Arrigo Boito
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM
Sir John Falstaff
Darren Drone
Alice Ford
Kearstin Piper Brown Ford
Stephen Gaertner Fenton Yi Li
Mistress Quickly Claudia Chapa
With the Portland Opera Orchestra and Chorus. Also featuring local artists and the Portland Opera Resident Artists.
Conductor
Nicholas Fox
Stage Director
David Radamés Toro
COMMUNITY & PORTLAND OPERA
Our ensemble can be found around the region, celebrating the art of opera in unexpected ways and in unexpected places.
OPERA A LA CART
Our award-winning opera truck can be found at street festivals, popup performances, wineries, and parks. Enjoy the talented artists and musicians that live right here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest at our Opera a la Cart performances. This season, we will partner with the Sounds Truck for a new program called Viva Espana: Spanish Songs from Zarzuela to Flamenco designed by Jessica Blau.
PORTLAND OPERA RESIDENT ARTISTS
Portland Opera is dedicated to the long-term development of emerging opera artists. Portland Opera’s Resident Artist Program, established in 2005, is one of the company’s core programs — a rigorous residency and training program centered on the cultivation and support of emerging artists. Stay tuned for more details about performances, special programming, and community events featuring our 24/25 Resident Artists!
BROADWAY IN PORTLAND
Broadway in Portland is a partnership between Broadway Across America and Portland Opera. Enjoy the best of Broadway throughout the season, right here in Portland.
Photo by Mike Drewry, courtesy of Hoyt Arboretum.
Look out for more info about library previews, special events, community concerts, additional programming, and so much more! Join the conversation and get the latest news by connecting with us on social media:
@portlandopera #PDXOpera
OUR MISSION
We gather and inspire audiences, artists, and collaborators to create shared opera experiences that enliven and connect us all, enhancing the cultural landscape of the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Portland Opera appreciates the ongoing support of our generous donors, James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Community Foundation, Regional Arts and Culture Council, including support from the City of Portland, Multnomah County, and the Arts Education & Access Fund.
Portland Opera is a proud member of
Left: Photo by Garrick Antikajian. Below: Photo by Genny Moller.
EDUCATION
SHIZUE: AN AMERICAN STORY
WORLD PREMIERE
PORTLAND OPERA TO GO
OCTOBER 4 & 5M, 2024
7:00 PM · 1:00 PM (M)ATINEE
This fall, Portland Opera is proud to present the next installment of the Our Oregon Project, Shizue: An American Story , which illuminates the remarkable life of Shizue Iwatsuki. From a wealthy family trained in the arts of poetry and ikebana , Shizue married Kamegoro and followed him to his orchard in Hood River, Oregon. Like thousands of other Japanese Americans, she experienced both hope and horror in America — from the luscious taste of fresh strawberries from their fields to the injustice in America’s incarceration camps. But through it all, Shizue rose above and reached beyond, embodying the concept of gaman , which means “enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity.”
ABOUT PORTLAND OPERA TO GO
Composed by Kenji Oh
Libretto by Dmae Lo Roberts
This performance is an optional addition to the season subscriptions. Single tickets will go on sale in August, 2024.
Portland Opera’s Our Oregon project commissions youth operas that highlight the experiences of Oregonians through a variety of lenses. This unique multi-year project began in 2022 with Beatrice : a 50-minute youth opera inspired by the life and story of Beatrice, Morrow Cannady, and it will continue in future seasons with operas about Latinx and Native American Oregonian heroes. After the world premiere, Shizue embarks on a two-month, multi-city tour.
For more than 20 years, Portland Opera has shared opera with audiences throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. In a typical year, POGO company members travel over 5,000 miles, to connect with approximately 13,000 K-12 students. To date, Portland Opera to Go has shared opera with more than 285,000 students and community audience members.
PATRON SERVICES
Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 5 PM concierge@portlandopera.org 503.241.1802
Manage your account, buy tickets, renew or build your subscription online any time: PortlandOpera.org
KELLER AUDITORIUM
Photo by Cory Weaver.
THE SUBSCRIBER EXPERIENCE
As a Portland Opera subscriber, you not only get the best seats at the lowest prices, but you’ll also receive free ticket exchanges when plans change, early access to new performances and events, as well as discounts and waived fees on all ticket purchases all season long. Subscriptions on sale now.
TICKETS & GROUPS
Portland Opera offers special ticket types and discounts through various community programs throughout the state. We’re proud to partner with Arts for All, the Veteran Tickets Foundation, as well as the Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington County Library systems. We also offer discounted tickets to students and educators, as well as groups of 10 or more.
If you have questions about getting involved in any of our ticket programs, email us at concierge@portlandopera.org
YOUNG PATRON SOCIETY
Portland Opera’s social club for young arts lovers and theatregoers between the ages of 21-40. An annual $150 donation unlocks $35 tickets to Friday performances, select social events, and networking opportunities.
SINGLE TICKETS
Only able to make one performance? Regular single tickets to all Portland Opera productions will go on sale in August. Get yours early to reserve the best seats and prices!
Photos by Trace Downen.
PLAN YOUR OPERA EXPERIENCE
Have questions about dining, parking, attire, or a quiet place to regroup in the theatre? We’re here for you! Also, please let us know if you experience disrespect or feel unwelcome at our performances. We appreciate your feedback! Email concierge@portlandopera.org or stop by and see us in the lobby.
ACCESSIBILITY AT PORTLAND OPERA
We partner with CADA, the Collective of Audio Describers
in Arts, to offer audio description services for each Sunday matinee performance. Audio description is a service for people who are blind or low vision that makes visual content accessible, using a single earpiece connected to an assistive listening device.
Listening devices are also available for all performances at the Newmark Theatre and Keller Auditorium. Every Portland Opera performance includes live English captions. If you require wheelchair, ADA, ample, or companion seating, please give us a call so that we can access our full inventory of ADA seats and ensure your visit to the opera is an excellent one.
VOLUNTEER WITH US!
Portland Opera has many volunteer opportunities for our community, from ushering at performances to helping out backstage and supporting special events. Contact giving@portlandopera.org to find out more!
Above: Photo by Cory Weaver. Left: Photo by Trace Downen.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Lisa Congdon is an internationally known illustrator who makes art for clients around the globe, including Library of Congress, Wired Magazine, Target, Smith Optics, Warby Parker, Method, Comme des Garcons, REI and MoMa, among many others. She exhibits internationally, including solo shows at Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art (California), Chefas Projects (Portland) and Paradigm Gallery (Philadelphia). She owns a retail shop in Portland’s Cargo Emporium and online, where she sells paper goods, stationery and gifts. When she’s not making art, you can find her racing her bike around Oregon. She lives and works in Portland. You can find her on Instagram at @lisacongdon and visit her website and shop at lisacongdon.com
Below: Photo by Charlie Foster.
