LOVE THROUGH ADVERSITY
25/26 SEASON
WELCOME TO OUR 61ST SEASON!
This year we celebrate our 61st anniversary with the theme LOVE THROUGH ADVERSITY , highlighting stories that explore the resilience, courage, and transformative power of love in its many forms. These tales remind us of the beauty, strength, and connection that emerge even in the face of life’s greatest challenges.
With performances at five incredible venues—World Trade Center, Newmark, Winningstad, Keller, and the Reser—we are thrilled to engage with our community on a deeper level, bringing the transformative power of opera to audiences across Portland and beyond.
Each performance brings to life the ways love can uplift, heal, and unite us in even the most trying times. As we reflect on these stories, we are reminded of the power of art to connect us, spark dialogue, and inspire hope.
Thank you for being part of our journey. In a time of transition, we are excited for the opportunity to connect with patrons each month of the year. Here’s to a season filled with unforgettable performances, meaningful connections, and the enduring spirit of LOVE THROUGH ADVERSITY !
Sue Dixon
Portland Opera General Director
Make sure you know the latest – connect with us on social media! @ portlandopera #PDXopera
KAREN SLACK:
AFRICAN QUEENS
2025 Grammy winner and Portland Opera’s Co-Artistic Advisor KAREN SLACK brings her celebration of historic African Queens to the Reser. New works by acclaimed composers Jasmine Barnes, Jessie Montgomery, Shawn Okpebholo, Dave Ragland, Carlos Simon, Joel Thompson, and Portland Opera's Interim Music Director and Co-Artistic Advisor Damien Geter thrill alongside carefully selected pieces from the traditional repertoire in this captivating vocal recital.
PATRICIA RESER CENTER FOR THE ARTS:
SATURDAY, SEP 13, 2025 AT 7:30PM SUNDAY, SEP 14, 2025 AT 2PM
PORTLAND OPERA TO GO:
T HE ELIXIR OF LOVE
COMPOSED BY GAETANO
LIBRETTO BY FELICE
DONIZETTI
ROMANI
DOLORES WINNINGSTAD THEATRE:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 AT 7 PM
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2025 AT 1 & 3:30 PM
General Admission seating
Performed in English with English captions.
A heartfelt, playful journey of self-discovery, Donizetti’s muchloved L’elisir d’amore is presented as a fifty-minute production by Portland Opera to Go. This delightful romp is accessible to youth audiences but captivating for all. Nemorino’s determination to win Adina’s heart through a magical “love potion” teaches audiences that love and confidence don’t come from a bottle, but from within.
DIRECTED BY KRISTINE MCINTYRE
SET DESIGNED BY POLLY ROBBINS
COSTUMES DESIGNED BY CAROLYN CARR
ABOUT POGO
For 25 years, Portland Opera to Go has been bringing inclusive arts experiences to schools and communities around the region.
Portland Opera to Go (POGO to our friends!) presents shortened English or English/Spanish versions of classic operas as well as commissioned works in the Our Oregon series about unsung women in Oregon history. Each opera is fully staged with sets, costumes, and piano accompaniment, all of which pack up neatly for efficient travel throughout the region.
Every year, we traverse the Northwest, reaching thousands of students, staging more than 60 performances a season. Half of the schools visited are in rural communities or are Title 1 schools. In addition, each production comes with an extensive Teacher’s Guide that includes cross-curricular, multimedia lesson plans closely aligned to state standards.
LA BOHÈME
COMPOSED BY GIACOMO PUCCINI
LIBRETTO BY LUIGI ILLICA & GIUSEPPE GIACOSA
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2025 AT 7:30 PM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2025 AT 7:30 PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2025 AT 2 PM
Performed in Italian with English captions.
This unforgettable story of passionate young artists remains one of the world’s most beloved operas and reminds us to find beauty in fleeting moments of joy. La Bohème is a gift that keeps giving, making it the perfect first opera to share with someone you love.
La Bohème is beloved for a reason. A universal and timeless story, it bursts with some of Puccini’s most memorable melodies. By turns cinematic, tender, soaring, and poignant, this is a score that delights at first listen and becomes exponentially more rewarding over time.
Based on Henri Murger’s 1851 novel Scènes de la vie de bohème , Puccini’s masterpiece recounts the tender tale of Mimì and Rodolfo as they face the perils of poverty. In its characters we see ourselves—the artists, the dreamers, and the everyday people, who face challenges but never lose sight of love and connection.
CONDUCTED BY NICHOLAS FOX
SET DESIGNED BY MICHAEL YEARGAN
WITH THE PORTLAND OPERA ORCHESTRA, CHORUS, AND CHILDREN’S CHORUS
FEATURING LOCAL ARTISTS AND THE PORTLAND OPERA RESIDENT ARTISTS
AN OPERA PARALL È LE PRODUCTION COMPOSED BY JOBY TALBOT
LIBRETTO BY GENE SCHEER
Performed in English with English captions
EVEREST
DIRECTOR & CONCEPT DESIGNER: BRIAN STAUFENBIEL
CONDUCTOR (RECORDING): NICOLE PAIEMENT
PRODUCTION DESIGNER & DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVID MURAKAMI
ILLUSTRATOR: MARK SIMMONS SOUND DESIGNER: MILES LASSI
Immersive, breathtaking, and technologically extraordinary, this production brings an ill-fated 1996 expedition to life through a blend of animated storytelling and interactive experience.
WORLD TRADE CENTER THEATRE:
FRIDAY, DEC 12, 2025 AT 7:30PM
SATURDAY, DEC 13, 2025 AT 7:30PM
SUNDAY, DEC 14, 2025 AT 2PM
FRIDAY, DEC 19, 2025 AT 7:30PM
SATURDAY, DEC 20, 2025 AT 7:30PM
SUNDAY, DEC 21, 2025 AT 2PM
T HE MAJESTY OF THE SPIRITUAL
CURATOR & SOLOIST: ROBERT SIMS
Renowned baritone Robert Sims gathers well-known vocalists for a powerful program highlighting the history of the Spiritual and its influence over American musical genres of all types. This stirring production is sure to enrich the mind, touch the heart, and inspire the soul.
WORLD TRADE CENTER THEATRE: SATURDAY, FEB 14, 2026 AT 7:30PM SUNDAY, FEB 15, 2026 AT 2PM
FELLOW TRAVELERS
PIERCE
COMPOSED BY GREGORY SPEARS LIBRETTO BY GREG
NEWMARK THEATRE:
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2026 AT 7:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026 AT 7:30 PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2026 AT 7:30 PM
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2026 AT 2 PM
Performed in English with English captions.
A powerful and deeply moving historic snapshot, Fellow Travelers is set amidst the Lavender Scare of midcentury McCarthyism, when persecution of LGBTQ+ people within the Federal government was rampant. Based on the 2007 novel by Thomas Mallon, Fellow Travelers tells one poignant and intimate story of love and survival in a time of fear. This modern lyric opera is about the bravery it takes to be one’s authentic self, even when society demands secrecy and silence.
Here is an opera for Singers. Composer Gregory Spears intrinsically understands the power of the human voice, and captures its ability to create a unique resonance with the listener. Fellow Travelers is an opera that is accessible to everyone; the music is beautiful, filling the space with lush sounds, and the drama moves, sweeping you along with it.
By sharing this challenging piece on its tenth anniversary, we acknowledge the struggles of the past and affirm our commitment to building a future where love is free, fearless, and fully embraced.
DIRECTOR KEVIN NEWBURY
SET DESIGNER VITA TZYKUN
COSTUME DESIGNER PAUL CAREY
LIGHTING DESIGNER THOMAS C. HASE
DEVELOPED AND CO-COMMISSIONED BY G. STERLING ZINSMEYER AND CINCINNATI OPERA
PREMIERED BY CINCINNATI OPERA ON JUNE 17, 2016, AT THE JARSON-KAPLAN THEATER, ARONOFF CENTER FOR THE ARTS, CINCINNATI WITH THE PORTLAND OPERA ORCHESTRA
STONE SOUP
COMPOSED BY JOE ILLICK, LIBRETTO BY MARK CAMPBELL
Timeless tales come to life as our Portland Opera Resident Artists show that with positive intent we can create magic. Join us for the West Coast premiere of this FAMILY FRIENDLY DOUBLE BILL of two short operas about cooperation and courage. All ages will delight in this inspiring program with the Portland Opera Orchestra, a live set-change, and children’s activities. Performed in English with English captions.
FRIDA KAHLO AND THE BRAVEST GIRL IN THE WORLD
WORLD TRADE CENTER THEATRE:
FRIDAY, APR 17, 2026 AT 7:30PM
SATURDAY, APR 18, 2026 AT 7:30PM
SUNDAY, APR 19, 2026 AT 2PM
FRIDAY, APR 24, 2026 AT 7:30PM
SATURDAY, APR 25, 2026 AT 7:30PM
SUNDAY, APR 26, 2026 AT 2PM
V ERDI’S REQUIEM
COMPOSED BY GIUSEPPE VERDI
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026 AT 7:30 PM
Performed in Latin.
Verdi’s Requiem reaches directly into the soul. It is a powerful, emotional journey through life, death, and the hope for something greater. Written as a tribute to his dear friend Alessandro Manzoni, the first of Verdi’s late masterpieces carries the weight of his deep personal loss, yet speaks universally to the struggles we all face: the pain of grief, the fear of the unknown, and the search for peace.
Nothing says opera like Verdi, and no music benefits more from operatic singing than Verdi’s Requiem . This is a monumental work with thunderous dramatic contrasts. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the thrilling “Dies Irae.” Listen for an ecstatic double chorus in the “Sanctus,” which begins with a thrilling trumpet call, dances through a lively fugue, and takes a brief contemplative pause before the orchestra bursts back in to finish with exultation.
Performed by featured vocalists and the full Portland Opera Orchestra and Chorus, this one-night-only production will electrify the Keller Auditorium for an evening you will never forget.
Whether we have endured personal bereavement, uncertainty, or the weight of difficult times, this formidable work gives voice to emotions that are often difficult to express. With each extraordinary vocal and instrumental feat Verdi beckons us to come face-to-face with life’s most profound moments and find joy within sorrow.
CONDUCTED BY DAMIEN GETER
WITH THE PORTLAND OPERA ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
KELLER AUDITORIUM
NEWMARK THEATRE
WORLD TRADE CENTER THEATRE
JOIN PORTLAND OPERA’S COMMUNITY OF SUBSCRIBERS!
We offer a variety of subscription options tailor made for you. All Portland Opera subscribers receive great benefits including a 20% discount on your subscription tickets (and on any additional tickets all season long), waived fees, and free ticket exchanges when your plans change.
• If you are excited about our mainstage productions and like attending on a schedule, our TRADITIONAL SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE might be right for you: choose a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday package to see La Bohème , Everest , and Fellow Travelers . Pick your favorite seats and keep them for every subsequent season you subscribe.
• If you prefer smaller crowds and close-ups with the artists, join us at the World Trade Center Theatre on Saturday evenings or Sunday afternoons for the completely new ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE PACKAGE . This package includes Everest, The Majesty of the Spiritual , and the West Coast premiere of a family friendly double bill Stone Soup & Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World You’ll keep your same seats for each performance each and every season you attend.
• If you have varied tastes and a busy schedule, our FLEXIBLE SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE is for you. Choose three or more productions from the season on the days you prefer, try new seats and new venues, and create an opera experience that is as unique as you are! Call our Concierge line at 503.241.1802 to set up your subscription, or visit portlandopera.org for more information.
YOU BELONG AT PORTLAND OPERA
DISCOUNT AND GROUP TICKETS
We are proud to partner with Arts for All (the Veterans’ ticket foundation), and the Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington County Library systems. We also offer discounted tickets to students and educators and can provide lower prices for groups of 10 or more.
YOUNG PATRONS’ SOCIETY
Portland Opera’s social club for young arts lovers allows patrons under 40 to enjoy discounted tickets, social events, and networking opportunities. See our website for details.
PLAN YOUR EXPERIENCE
Questions about where to park, coat check, or great nearby restaurants? Want to purchase Portland Opera branded merchandise or give us some feedback? Our Patron Services team is always standing by to help you make the most of your opera experience. Reach out to concierge@portlandopera.org , call us at 503.241.1802, or meet us in the lobby at our performances.
ACCESSIBILITY
Did you know Portland Opera was one of the first opera companies to use surtitles—English translations projected above the stage? Surtitles help make opera more accessible and understandable, and most of our performances include these live captions.
We also partner with CADA (the Collective of Audio Describers in Arts) to provide audio descriptions at select Sunday matinees. This service allows low-sighted patrons to hear live descriptions of the action onstage.
For patrons who need auditory assistance, assisted listening devices are available at many of our performances. We can help with your physical accessibility needs as well. Reach out to make advance arrangements, and our team can provide information on wheelchairs, parking and drop-off locations, companion seating, or ample seating.
WHEN WE GATHER
Our commitment to cultural equity continues to inform our audience policies and experiences. When we gather, it must be with respect and with care for the entire community.
Let us be clear: there is no place for bigotry, discrimination, hate, harassment, or intolerance at Portland Opera.
Behaviors that are disrespectful, discriminatory, or not aligned with our policies for attendance (including health and safety and firearm policies) will not be tolerated, and audience members may be asked to leave the premises and/or be prohibited from returning in the future.
IN THE COMMUNITY
OPERA A LA CART
Inspired by Portland’s food cart culture, Opera a la Cart is a mobile performance venue that brings live opera performances directly into the community spaces where people gather.
Designed and built by architecture students at Portland State University, the cart features a fold-out stage and a “menu” of operatic specials of the day to be sung by local artists.
In the warmer months, look for us all over the region, hosting free performances in parks, wineries, and right at home in “Portland’s Living Room,” Pioneer Courthouse Square.
PORTLAND OPERA RESIDENT ARTISTS
Portland Opera’s Resident Artist Program, established in 2005, is one of the company’s core programs—a rigorous residency and training curriculum centered on the cultivation and support of emerging artists. Stay tuned for more details about performances in Fall and Winter, special programming, and community events featuring our 25/26 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 during a thrilling 25/26 season. Details at portland.broadway.com
WAYS TO SUPPORT
For six decades, Portland Opera has been a key contributor to the cultural and artistic offerings in our beloved region. We are proud to be Portland’s opera, and to continue the timeless tradition of storytelling on the stage, in the classroom, and beyond.
SHOW UP
OPERA IS FOR EVERYONE!
Attend our free community events like Opera a la Cart
Subscribe or buy single tickets to our thrilling performances
ADVOCATE
CHAMPION CULTURAL ENRICHMENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Invite your friends to join you at our next performance
Bring Portland Opera to Go and other activities to your child’s school
Bring the art of opera to your business by booking our Resident Artists
SUPPORT
OPERA DONORS PUT THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR PASSION IS
Make a donation today
Become a Portland Opera sustainer with a monthly gift
See if your employer will match your gift
SERVE BE IN THE ROOM WHEN
IT HAPPENS
Join your fellow community and business leaders
Learn what Board service looks like at Portland Opera
Email our team at giving@portlandopera.org
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.
OUR VISION
We celebrate the power of performance, storytelling, and song as an inclusive artistic leader.
OUR VALUES
We realize our mission and vision with a constellation of values that guide our work:
The Art of Opera
Ensemble & Cultural Equity
Our Shared Humanity
Fiscal Strength & Stewardship
Community Connections
Imagination & the Entrepreneurial Spirit
Learn more about Cultural Equity at Portland Opera at portlandopera.org/about/mission/
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Samantha Yun Wall immigrated to the United States as a child and comes from a multiracial background. Operating from within this framework, her artwork embodies the experience of navigating transcultural identity. Wall’s art is characterized by her unique approach to traditional techniques combined with a contemporary vernacular that reflects her understanding of the world.
Samantha’s work has been featured in the New York Times, The New Yorker, and on the cover of the Sleater-Kinney album Path of Wellness . She has exhibited globally at galleries and museums including the Frye Art Museum in Seattle and the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Featured in the recent Black Artists of Oregon exhibit at Portland Art Museum, her work is now in their permanent collection. Samantha will unveil her most extensive solo exhibition to date at the Seattle Art Museum in 2026.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Building upon the success of our 60th anniversary collaboration with illustrator Lisa Congdon, Portland Opera is excited to continue forming annual partnerships with Portland-based fine artists. These wonderful reciprocal relationships enhance both the artist’s and the opera’s oeuvres, but most importantly contribute to the support and revitalization of our city’s fine and performing arts landscape.
“What I have enjoyed most about working on this project with Portland Opera,” says Samantha Wall, “is the opportunity to collaborate. The exchange of ideas, emotions, and engaging conversations infused new energy and optimism into my studio practice—a much-needed lifeline during a time of chaos and despair. Discovering each opera’s unique visual and emotional landscape felt like stepping into new worlds and bringing those spaces to life through my artwork.”
Keep an eye out for these powerful 25/26 season images all around the region, and as a limited edition run of signed and numbered fine art prints available for purchase.