2001 Ring Program

Explore the 2001 Ring Program!

2010 Falstaff

A wholly Shakespearean production of Verdi’s great comedy.

1996 Andrea Chénier

Superstar tenor required! Ben Heppner was the first Andrea Chénier at Seattle Opera since Franco Corelli in 1968.

2005 Florencia en el Amazonas

Composed in 1996, this evocative production debuted in Seattle in 1998. It proved so popular it was revived only 7 years later.

2007/08 I Puritani Program

Explore the 2007/08 I Puritani Program!

2006 The Italian Girl in Algiers

“I think this is getting too silly!”

1976 Thaïs
1994 Norma

None who were there will ever forget Jane Eaglen’s stunning Seattle Opera debut!

2005 Florencia en el Amazonas

Watch scenes from this beautiful opera by Mexican composer Daniel Catán!

1966/67 The Barber of Seville Program

Explore the 1966/67 The Barber of Seville Program!

1998 Tristan und Isolde

Wagner News: “An opera experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

1980 The Queen Of Spades

Seattle Opera’s only production of Tchaikovsky’s Pushkin-inspired tragedy.

2009 Ring

The “Green” Ring looked better than ever this summer.

JULIAN PATRICK as Alberich

One of our favorite baritones sings Alberich’s curse.

1999 Die Zauberflöte

A penguin-crocodile, floating coloratura queen, and befeathered Nathan Gunn delighted audiences in this final production of the millenium.

1968/69 Tosca Program

Explore the 1968/69 Tosca Program!

1973 Daughter of the Regiment

Anna Moffo’s Seattle Opera appearance!

Speight’s Wagner Memories: 94 LOHENGRIN

Speight gets the swan just the way he likes it!

Song to the Moon from RUSALKA

Renee Fleming made her Seattle Opera debut in one of her greatest roles.

Speight’s Wagner Memories: 01 RING

Speight finds a new Siegfried–with two days notice!

1977/78 The King of Lahore Program

Explore the 1977/78 The King of Lahore Program!

Friendship Duet from DON CARLOS, with Vinson Cole and William Stone

Hear opera’s ultimate tenor-baritone duet.

2007 Der Fliegende Holländer

“Gloomy captain, go on land; seek a faithful woman’s hand! Another seven years rush by; another woman soon must die.”

1989/90 Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Program

Explore the 1989/90 Master-Singers of Nuremberg Program!

1977 Le roi de Lahore

Joan Sutherland in a Massenet rarity—also starring the young James Morris!

1968/69 Der Rosenkavalier Program

Explore the 1968/69 Der Rosenkavalier Program!

1973/74 Gianni Schicchi, Pagliacci Program

Explore the 1973/74 Gianni Schicchi, Pagliacci Program!

1987 Ring

Leonie Rysanek’s unforgettable Seattle appearance!

2005 Manon Lescaut

Veteran Carol Vaness paired with emerging newcomer Jay Hunter Morris in this rarely presented Puccini tragedy.

2006 Die Fledermaus

Who says Wagner singers are no fun?

Artist of the Year: EWA PODLEŚ as Adalgisa

Hear Ewa Podles’s award-winning Adalgisa!

1972 Der Fliegende Holländer

Wagner’s rollicking sea yarn came to Seattle with a famous cast.

Speight’s Wagner Memories: 05 RING

Speight: “A remarkably easy RING!”

2011 Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville)

A double-cast production: soprano Sarah Coburn performed Rosina one and mezzo Kate Lindsey in the other!

1967/68 Otello Program

Explore the 1967/68 Otello Program!

2009/10 Amelia Program

Explore the 2009/10 Amelia Program!

Le nozze di Figaro ’09

Listen to highlights from Mozart’s perfect opera.

1967/68 Romeo and Juliet Program

Explore the 1967/68 Romeo and Juliet Program!

2000 Il barbiere di Siviglia

Young love triumphs over aged tyranny in this most popular of opera comedies.

2004/05 Lohengrin Progarm

Explore the 2004/05 Lohengrin Program!

2001 Falstaff

The second Seattle Opera staging of Verdi’s final opera was directed by Shakespearean veteran Chris Alexander.

L’italiana in Algeri Act One Finale

Listen to some of the silliest music in all opera!

1965/66 Il trovatore Program

Explore the 1965/66 Il trovatore Program!

2010/11 Tristan and Isolde Program

Explore the 2010/11 Tristan and Isolde Program!

2003/04 Parsifal Progarm

Explore the 2003/04 Parsifal Program!

2000/01 Das Rheingold, Die Walküre Program

Explore the 2000/01 Das Rheingold, Die Walküre Program!

1990/91 War and Peace Program

Explore the 1990/91 War and Peace Program!

Stravinsky’s Visit to Seattle Opera

as told by Hans Lehmann

1967/68 Don Giovanni Program

Explore the 1967/68 Don Giovanni Program!

1995/96 Andrea Chenier Program

Explore the 1995/96 Andrea Chenier Program!

2004 La fanciulla del West

A rootin’, tootin’ barn-burner of a western with a strong Puccini cast.

Christiane Libor debuts as Leonore

Hear the German soprano who triumphed at Seattle Opera recently in Fidelio.

2009 Le nozze di Figaro

Peter Kazaras’ lively staging featured Mariusz Kwiecien heading up a colorful cast of characters.

2011 Barber of Seville

Peter Kazaras directs Rossini’s popular comedy!

JAMES McCRACKEN as Otello

Hear an astonishing “Si, pel ciel” from a great American tenor!

Artist of the Year: MARIUSZ KWIECIEN as Don Giovanni

Marius Kwiecien sings the Champagne Aria!

The Casting of George, Of Mice and Men

as told by Julian Patrick

1970 Les contes d’Hoffmann

Joan Sutherland wowed the opera-goers of Seattle in 1970 by singing all three ladies in “The Tales of Hoffmann.”

JULIAN PATRICK as Don Magnifico

The climax of Don Magnifico’s ridiculous “dream” aria.

2000 Lakmé

This romantic French opera features the popular “Flower Duet” and the “Bell Song,” beloved of coloraturas of yesteryear.

JOAN SUTHERLAND as Lakmé

Listen to Sutherland and Tourangeau sing the famous “Lakmé” Flower Duet!

1987 Ring Program

Explore the 1987 Ring Program!

1995 Carmen

Check out the production which caused the first-ever Seattle Times opera-related phone-in poll!

1964 Lucia di Lammermoor

Roberta Peters was Seattle Opera’s first Lucia.

1965/66 Samson and Delilah Program

Explore the 1965/66 Samson and Delilah Program!

1995 Madama Butterfly

“Death with honor before life with dishonor!” A strong production of Puccini’s great tragedy.

1971/72 Un ballo in maschera Program

Explore the 1971/72 A Masked Ball Program!

Artist of the Year: LAWRENCE BROWNLEE as Arturo

Listen to an amazing feat of bel canto virtuosity from one of our favorite tenors.

“Così fan tutte” Trio at Speight Gala

Hear the gorgeous trio from “Così fan tutte” sung by three of our favorite singers.

1965 Samson et Dalila

James McCracken brought down the house!

2007/08 Flying Dutchman Program

Explore the 2007/08 Flying Dutchman Program!

JULIAN PATRICK as Beckmesser

A serenade gone hilariously wrong!

1991 Anna Bolena

Images highlighting 1991’s Anna Bolena

1990: Ben Heppner and Renee Fleming as the Prince and Rusalka

Two spectacular voices, early in their careers, brought an unknown masterpiece to Seattle.

Artist of the Year: JOHN RELYEA as the Four Villains

John Relyea’s unforgettable “Hoffmann” villains!

1994 Lohengrin

Greer Grimsley’s first Wagner opera—complete with giant animatronic swan!

2005 Ring Program

Explore the 2005 Ring Program!

1988 Orphée et Eurydice

Our powerful first production of this Gluck masterwork.

1967 La traviata (Met Tour)

Seattle Opera’s first Traviata wasn’t ours at all—it came from the Met.

1971 Don Carlo

Fiorenza Cossotto stole the show with “O don fatale.”

1992 Lucia di Lammermoor

Sally Wolf won Artist of the Year this season for her extraordinary Lucia.

2000 Das Rheingold and Die Walküre

This preview of our third RING production featured the first two operas in the cycle, presented in full one year later.

1983 Peter Grimes

Jon Vickers as Britten’s tragic fisherman misfit.

1970/71 The Tales of Hoffmann Program

Explore the 1970/71 Tales of Hoffmann Program!

1997 Xerxes

Beloved mezzo Frederica von Stade’s only Seattle Opera appearance!

2011 Don Quichotte

This innovative new production turned the stage into a library desktop, complete with giant books, ink wells, and feather pens.

Artist of the Year: SALLY WOLF as Lucia

Listen to Sally Wolf’s award-winning LUCIA Mad Scene!

1987: Leonie Rysanek as Sieglinde

The great Viennese soprano’s only Seattle appearance!

1978/79 Macbeth Program

Explore the 1978/79 Macbeth Program!

1971/72 Lucia di Lammermoor Program

Explore the 1971/72 Lucia di Lammermoor Program!

"Earthquake" TOSCA

Hear the three great voices of the rescheduled Tosca after the earthquake.

1992 Barber of Seville

Mirth and madness from the master of operatic mayhem!

William Burden as Orphée

William Burden as Orphée implores the Furies to return his Eurydice to him.

1965 La boheme

Beverly Sills’ only Mimì!

1989 Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

Seattle Opera’s only production to date of Wagner’s sunny comedy.

2000 YAP Don Giovanni

Starring future Artist-of-the-Year winners Lawrence Brownlee and Mary Elizabeth Williams!

Speight’s Wagner Memories: 2000 Half-RING

Speight remembers how the “Green” RING began its life.

1967 Lakmé

Joan Sutherland’s Seattle debut!

1994 Les pêcheurs de perles

Seattle Opera’s first production of the show featuring opera’s most gorgeous tenor-baritone duet!

1996 Turandot

Enter a frozen world ruled by a harsh ice princess–at your own risk!

1982/83 Peter Grimes Program

Explore the 1982/83 Peter Grimes Program!

1969 Turandot

Nilsson as the Ice Princess.

1966/67 Lakme Program

Explore the 1966/67 Lakme Program!

1971/72 The Flying Dutchman Program

Explore the 1971/72 Flying Dutchman Program!

2004 Lohengrin

Revival of the 1994 production directed by Stephen Wadsworth.

2001 Ring

The first full performance of Seattle Opera’s beloved “Green” Ring.

1984/85 The Ballad of Baby Doe Program

Explore the 1984/85 Ballad of Baby Doe Program!

1969 Der Rosenkavalier

Régine Crespin’s Seattle Opera appearance!

2004 Carmen

The ultimate tale of obsession unfolds in Bizet’s Carmen.

1966/67 Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci Program

Explore the 1966/67 Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci Program!

1990/91 Anna Bolena Program

Explore the 1990/91 Anna Bolena Program!

1965/66 La Boheme Program

Explore the 1965/66 La Boheme Program!

1989: Ben Heppner as Walther von Stolzing

Hear the great Canadian tenor sing one of his most gorgeous roles.

1979 Don Giovanni

A great star, but a compromised performance!

Artist of the Year: ALEKSANDRA KURZAK as Lucia

Aleksandra Kurzak sings Lucia’s Mad Scene!

2005 Ring

Our first RING in McCaw Hall–and Greer Grimsley’s first Wotan.

2010 Falstaff

Our liveliest production yet of this great comedy!

1968/69 Andrea Chenier Program

Explore the 1968/69 Andrea Chenier Program!

1987 Carmen

Bizet’s sexy gypsy returns to the main stage!

2004 Ariadne auf Naxos

Chris Alexander’s first award-winning production.

2005 Les contes d’Hoffmann

This colorful and imaginative production will return in May 2014.

2010/11 Don Quichotte Program

Explore the 2010/11 Don Quichotte Program!

Norah Amsellem as Gilda

A lovesick girl sings rhapsodies about a fantasy of the man she adores.

1968 Aida

Starring Seattle Opera’s first African-American singer!

1972/73 La Traviata Program

Explore the 1972/73 La Traviata Program!

2006: Nicola Luisotti Conducts Macbeth

“The jaws of hell gape wide and swallow all of creation” in some of Verdi’s most powerful music.

1980/81 Aida Program

Explore the 1980/81 Aida Program!

Artist of the Year: JANE EAGLEN as Norma

The stunning debut of one of our favorite sopranos!

The “Lakmé” Tag-Team Tenor Triumph

One performance, one role, two tenors!

1982 Il trovatore

A starry production of Verdi’s great melodrama.

2012 Madama Butterfly

Patricia Racette starred in this heart-breakingly beautiful production.

1987/88 Orphée et Eurydice Program

Explore the 1987/88 Orpheus and Eurydice Program!

1990 Rusalka

Renée Fleming’s debut as Dvořák’s little mermaid.

1981/82 Die Fledermaus Program

Explore the 1981/82 Die Fledermaus Program!

2009 Ring Program

Explore the 2009 Ring Program!

1968 Andrea Chenier

Franco Corelli at Seattle Opera.

FRANCO CORELLI as Roméo

Listen to Corelli’s stunning “Ah, lève-toi soleil!”

1999 Der Freischütz

Seven magic bullets consecrated to the devil wreak havoc in this, the original German Romantic opera.

2010 Lucia Di Lammermoor

New production featured a repurposed set from 2008’s “I PURITANI”.

In Memoriam JULIAN PATICK

The career of an artist who gave much to Seattle Opera.

2001 Tosca

Three of Seattle’s favorite superstar singers braved the Nisqually earthquake during the run of this Puccini thriller.

1969 Tosca

Dorothy Kirsten’s Seattle appearance.

1966 Il trovatore

Sherrill Milnes’s Seattle Opera debut!

Artist of the Year: JANE EAGLEN as Isolde, with Ben Heppner as Tristan

Hear two of the great Wagner voices of our time, at the peak of their powers.

1998/99 Tristan und Isolde Program

Explore the 1998/99 Tristan and Isolde Program!

Artist of the Year: BEN HEPPNER as Andrea Chenier

Hear the performance that won Ben Heppner’s the Artist-of-the-Year Award!

1991 La bohème

Local favorites Vinson Cole, Sally Wolf, and Dale Duesing took on Puccini’s bohemians.

Speight’s Wagner Memories: 98 TRISTAN UND ISOLDE

Speight’s dreams come true with a match made in operatic heaven.

1994 Norma Program

Explore the 1993/94 Norma Program!

1990 War and Peace

Our unforgettable War and Peace celebrated the end of the Cold War.

2003 Parsifal

The unforgettable opera that opened McCaw Hall!

1997 Werther

A beautiful (and beautifully sung) production of one of the most Romantic French operas.

2006 Macbeth

A spectacular cast and walls that dripped blood made for a thrilling night of Verdi and Shakespeare.

1964/65 Boris Godunov Program

Explore the 1964/65 Boris Godunov Program!

1978/79 Don Giovanni Program

Explore the 1978/79 Don Giovanni Program!

1993 Don Carlos

Verdi’s most ambitious opera came thrillingly to life in this spectacular production.

2011 Il barbiere di Siviglia

A unique revival in which the alternating Rosinas were performed by different voice types.

1964/65 Rigoletto Program Cover

Explore the 1964/65 Rigoletto Program!

1998 The Elixir of Love

A lovesick dope wins the help of his special lady with a magic love potion that’s really cheap red wine.

1986 Eugene Onegin

Starring Dale Duesing, Peter Kazaras, Judith Haddon, and Geri Decker.

1966 Barber of Seville

Seattle’s first completely comic opera!

Artist of the Year: STEPHEN MILLING as Gurnemanz

The award-winning performance in the first opera in the renovated McCaw Hall.

1994/95 Lohengrin Program

Explore the 1994/95 Lohengrin Program!

1966 Madama Butterfly (Met Tour)

The Seattle Opera debut of Julian Patrick!

1967 Otello
2009 Marriage of Figaro

A stylish, sexy production of what’s been called the ‘perfect’ opera.

2010 Tristan und Isolde

A minimalist new production directed by Peter Kazaras that was inspired in part from the Ambrose Bierce short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.”

1971 Tommy

The world’s first ‘rock opera’ was Bette Midler’s only Seattle Opera appearance!

“Un bel dì” from MADAMA BUTTERFLY

Patricia Racette in her Seattle debut.

1964/65 Lucia di Lammermoor Program

Explore the 1964/65 Lucia di Lammermoor Program!

Artist of the Year: KATE LINDSEY as Amelia

Hear the luscious voice of a great mezzo singing the role she created.

1972 Lucia di Lammermoor

Beverly Sills sang Lucia in Seattle.

DON CARLOS Grand Inquisitor scene, with Paul Plishka and Gabor Andrasy

Two of opera’s darkest characters blend their voices.

Scene One Finale from UN BALLO IN MASCHERA

Listen to some of Verdi’s bubbliest music.

1969/70 Turandot Program

Explore the 1969/70 Turandot Program!

1998 Faust

Starring Greer Grimsley as the Devil!

2007 Don Giovanni

Polish barihunk Mariusz Kwiecien triumphed as Mozart’s seductive bad boy.

2010 Amelia

Seattle Opera’s beautiful world premiere from 2010.

1979 Faust

Erich Parce makes his Seattle Opera debut.

1967 Turandot

Giovanni Martinelli’s one Seattle Opera appearance!

2003 Fidelio

Jane Eaglen stars in Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio 2002.

Speight’s Wagner Memories: 87 RING

Speight remembers his first great success with the RING.

Stravinsky Conducts His Own "Soldier's Tale"

When Stravinsky and Basil Rathbone appeared at Seattle Opera!

2006/07 Don Giovanni Program

Explore the 2006/07 Don Giovanni Program!

Artist of the Year: GREER GRIMSLEY as Wotan

Listen to the voice of Seattle’s reigning king of the gods.

1990 WAR AND PEACE

Watch clips from Seattle Opera’s monumental production from the Goodwill Games!

2008 I Puritani

Explore this beloved cast, full of beautiful voices and frequent Seattle Opera artists.

1990/91 Rusalka Program

Explore the 1990/91 Rusalka Program!

1968 Don Giovanni

Joan Sutherland returned to Seattle as Donna Anna.

Artist of the Year: STEPHANIE BLYTHE as Amneris

Stephanie Blythe curses Verdi’s priests.

1974 Barber of Seville

A lively production of Rossini’s great comedy.