THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING OSCAR

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
Music Hall • Wilks Studio

A Nearly-True Story of Oscar Wilde’s First Visit to Cincinnati
Before writing his controversial play Salome, the source material for Richard Strauss’s opera, Oscar Wilde visited Cincinnati three times during his speaking tour of America in 1882. This original one-act play by Cincinnati Opera’s Evans Mirageas and Audrey Chait dramatizes the interview Wilde gave just prior to his first lecture at Music Hall. As interviewed by Samuel Flickinger of the Cincinnati Gazette, Oscar applies his trademark wit to his impressions of Cincinnati, the Aesthetic movement, music, fame, and much more. Starring Douglas Fries as Oscar Wilde, and Christopher Logan Carter as reporter Samuel Flickinger, featuring musical performances by soprano Heidi Middendorf, tenor Jack Keller, and pianist Matthew Umphreys.

Tickets: $25

Running time: 60 minutes, no intermission.

CARMEN’S REVENGE: AN OPERATIC MURDER MYSTERY

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | 7:00 p.m.
Second Sight Spirits • 301 Elm Street; Ludlow, KY 41016

Whodunnit? Take a Stab, Carmen-Style.
Plot spoiler: Things don’t go well for Carmen at the end of Bizet’s opera. But what if the drama didn’t stop at the end of Act IV? Join us for an interactive, irreverent, and, of course, operatic glimpse into what comes next for Carmen’s friends and foes at the atmospheric Second Sight Spirits (with full cash bar). Great for Carmen aficionados and those new to opera—no prior knowledge required!

Filled with clues and plot twists, plus live performances of classic Carmen arias, you’ll learn more about the opera while engaging with the cast of characters and fellow guests to uncover the truth. Will you be the sleuth who pieces it together and solves the murder?

Tickets: $25

Running time: 75 minutes, no intermission.

the Afrofuturist salon

Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.
ARTSVILLE• 5021 Whetsel AveNUE • Cincinnati, OH 45227

Style, Sound, and the World of Lalovavi.
Step into the vibrant universe of Lalovavi, Cincinnati Opera’s bold, new Afrofuturist opera, during an elevated after-work evening of hair, art, music, and creative expression at Artsville. The Afrofuturist Salon brings together cultural innovators, creative voices, and curious minds for cocktails, connection, and conversation inspired by Afrofuturism and the power of hair, style, identity, storytelling, and legacy.

The evening features a dynamic live conversation with Lalovavi librettist Tifara Brown, wig designer Tiara Jones, and Cassandra Jones, UC Assistant Professor of Africana Studies, exploring the intersections of Black futurism, beauty, storytelling, and self-expression. The experience flows into a high-energy DJ set with spoken word and remixes inspired by Lalovavi, plus raffles, atmosphere, and celebration.

6:30 • Cash bar, hair show & networking
7:00 • Panel discussion
8:15 • DJ battle and dancing

Tickets: $25