2025 in Review

Cincinnati Opera proudly welcomed audiences to a magical 2025 Summer Festival, filled with unforgettable music and moments. This season featured beloved classics like Rigoletto and Tosca, alongside a brand-new production of Fiddler on the Roof.

Beyond the stage, we were thrilled to present vibrant community events including Divas & Diamonds, Opera Goes to Church, Singers & Spirits, Studio Sessions, and Pride Night—each one celebrating the spirit and diversity of our city.

We are endlessly grateful to our audiences, donors, volunteers, staff, and community partners for your unwavering support in promoting and preserving Cincinnati’s rich arts scene.

Enjoy this season recap—and we can’t wait to welcome you back to Music Hall in 2026!


Singers & Spirits

Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals presented Singers & Spirits, pairing festive beverages and performances by Cincinnati Opera artists at local wineries and breweries.

Photos by Paige Pederzani


Divas & Diamonds

Opera divas and divos gathered at Ritcher & Phillips Jewelers to enjoy live operatic performances, delectable snacks, and drinks provided by local vendors.

Photos by Paige Pederzani


Opera goes to church!

Audiences experienced an eclectic mix of gospel, jazz, and classical music at Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church and Zion Global Ministries.

Photos by Philip Groshong


Rigloletto

Our first production of the season, Verdi’s riveting Rigoletto captured the adoration of audience members.

Photos by Philip Groshong

Rigoletto – Michael Chioldi
Gilda – Kathryn Lewek
Duke of Mantua Zach Borichevsky
Sparafucile – Morris Robinson
Maddalena – Tesia Kwarteng
Monterone – Donnie Ray Albert
Marullo – Thomas Dreeze
Matteo Borsa – Alexander Gushrowski
Giovanna – Kaylee Nichols
Countess Ceprano – Heidi Middendorf
Count Ceprano – Vernon Hartman
Duchess of Mantua – Kaylyn Taylor Baldwin
Usher – Seoyong Lee

Conductor – John Fiore
Original Stage Director – Tomer Zvulun
Revival Director – Elio Bucky
Scenic Designer – John Conklin
Costume Designer Vita Tyzkun
Lighting Designer  Thomas C. Hase
Wig & Makeup Designer – James Geier
Chorus Master  Henri Venanzi

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus

This production of Rigoletto is a co-production of Boston Lyric Opera, The Atlanta Opera, and Opera Omaha.


Tosca

Audiences were astonished by the production of Puccini’s Tosca.

Photos by Philip Groshong

Floria Tosca – Karah Son
Mario Cavaradossi – Matthew White
Baron Scarpia – Anthony Clark Evans
Cesare Angelotti – Justin Hopkins
Sacristan – Sam Smith
Spoletta – Julius Ahn
Sciarrone – Ryan Henry
Jailer – Cole Stephenson

Conductor – Clelia Cafiero
Stage Director – Jose Maria Condemi
Associate Director – Andrew Nienaber
Scenic & Costume Designer Robert Perdziola
Lighting Designer  Thomas C. Hase
Wig & Makeup Designer – James Geier
Chorus Master  Henri Venanzi

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus


pride night

Cincinnati Opera celebrated Pride with a fabulous and colorful fete in Music Hall’s Wilks Studio. Guests enjoyed drag performances, music, and a festive dance party.

Photos by Paige Pederzani


STUDIO SESSIONs

Stars from Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 season—Jacqueline Echols McCarley, Elliot Madore, and Jessica Rivera—enchanted audiences with bespoke recitals in the intimate setting of Music Hall’s Wilks Studio.

Photos by Philip Groshong and Mikki Schaffner


Fiddlr on the Roof

Patrons were moved and inspired by Cincinnati Opera’s brand-new production of Fiddler on the Roof.

Photos by Philip Groshong

Tevye – Max Hopp
Golde – Victoria Livengood
Tzeitel – Rachel Kobernick
Hodel – Rachel Blaustein
Chava – Jennifer Zetlan
Yente – Janice Meyerson
Shprintze – Elli Maddock
Bielke – Noa Jaffee
Motel Arnold Livingston Geis
Perchik – Simon Barrad
Lazar Wolf Phil Fiorini
Mordcha – Blake Gehring
Rabbi – Barry Mulholland
Mendel – Will Selnick
Avram – Thomas Dreeze
Constable – Jim Hopkins
Grandma Tzeitel – Wendy Hill
Fyedka Henry Benson
Fruma Sarah Sarah Folsom
The Fiddler – Charles Morey

Conductor – Levi Hammer
Stage Director Crystal Manich
Choreographer  Michael Pappalardo
Scenic Designer Andrew Boyce
Costume Designer – Chad Phillips
Lighting Designer  Thomas C. Hase
Sound Designer – David Bullard
Wig and Makeup Designer – James Geier
Chorus Master  Henri Venanzi
Stage Manager – Hannah Holthaus
Cultural Consultant – Rabbi Ken Kanter
Casting Consultant – D. Lynn Meyers

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, members of the Cincinnati Ballet, and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus


To sir, with love

The magic of McCartney inspired Cincinnati Opera’s To Sir, With Love, a night of music, drinks, and dancing.

Photos by Tony Bailey


Media Stories

Opera Wire: Paul McCartney, Elliot Madore & Gilda Fiume Lead Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Season

By Francisco Salazar

Cincinnati Magazine: Giving Opera a New Spirit

By Sarah McCosham

Movers & Makers: Cincinnati Opera, Partners Work to 'Get Paul (McCartney) to Music Hall'

By Casey Weldon

CityBeat: Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Season Includes Original Work by Paul McCartney

By Anne Arenstein

Cincinnati Business Courier: CCM's Elliot Madore brings Nuance to bad boy Don Giovanni in Cincinnati Opera Production

By Janelle Gelfand

EarRelevant: Cincinnati Opera launches its 2024 Summer Festival, promises grandeur and innovation

By Mark Gresham

Cincinnati Business Courier:

Cincinnati Opera's production of 'Don Giovanni' balances tragedy, comedy

Review by Janelle Gelfand

Cincinnati Business Courier: Love, loss and hope: Cast members connect with emotional story of McCartney’s ‘Liverpool Oratorio’

By Janelle Gelfand

Cincinnati Enquirer: 'This is the real thing.' The origin story of 'Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio' opera

By David Lyman

Billboard: Paul McCartney Sends Special Message to Cincinnati at Debut of ‘Liverpool Oratorio’ Opera: ‘I Love That You’re Doing It There’

By Gil Kaufman

WCPO: Singalong in honor of Paul McCartney

By WCPO-TV

Local12:

Cincinnati Opera reimagines Paul McCartney's 'Liverpool Oratorio'

By Kyle Inskeep

That’s So Cincinnati (podcast): Interview with Cincinnati Opera General Director & CEO Chris Milligan

By Sharon Coolidge


spotted at the opera

Cincinnati Opera fans looked amazing at Music Hall, and we loved seeing them!


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