Romanian soprano Mariana Nicolesco was a beautiful Violetta.

Janice Yoes, then Seattle’s Brünnhilde, took on the fearsome title role.

A game of musical chairs ensued when several Ring singers switched parts.

The first complete presentation of the imaginative Rochaix/Israel Ring 2.

The Seattle debut of Carol Vaness, a favorite soprano of the Seattle audience.

Donizetti’s cautionary tale about an old man with a young wife.

A splendid production of Verdi’s masterpiece–complete with live horses!

Seattle Opera’s only production of this tuneful comedy.

Josephine Barstow was “a soprano of pantherlike grace and searing intensity.”

Starring the young Carol Vaness as Desdemona.

By 1980, Seattle’s Ring was a well-known west coast cultural phenomenon.

Starring Dale Duesing as Eisenstein!

Donizetti’s charming comedy about a magic bottle of wine.

Philip Glass’s minimalist opera about nonviolent resistance.

Featuring the Seattle Opera debuts of Stephen Wadsworth and Peter Kazaras!

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

Gershwin’s fan favorite comes to life for the first time on the Seattle Opera stage.

The only Seattle Opera appearance of powerhouse bass Cesare Siepi.

A beautiful Renaissance-era production of the Verdi classic.

Rigoletto continues to be a fan favorite with this luxurious 1982 production.

This cast of singers play Puccini’s bohemians in the classic tale of young love and despair.

Mozart’s problem comedy—with a time machine!

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

A starry production of Verdi’s great melodrama.

Our powerful first production of this Gluck masterwork.

The last summer for Ring 1!

Starring Seattle’s Siegfried and Brünnhilde, Herbert Becker and Ute Vinzing.

Glynn Ross’s third and final Turandot–a production worthy of an MGM Bible epic spectacular!

A new Siegfried added to the excitement of Seattle Opera’s most ambitious summer program yet.

A seductive production of Carmen that had it all.

Maurice Sendak’s beautiful production of Mozart’s fairy-tale.

Ashley Putnam took on all three heroines in this production of Offenbach’s masterpiece.

“Gold is a Fine Thing” and many more celebrated arias can be found in this American opera.

Back on the mainstage, Verdi’s Il Trovatore impresses again.

The moment when the difference between Speight Jenkins and Glynn Ross became apparent!

Our first production of Wagner’s great song of love and death.

Sir Geraint Evans returns!

Puccini’s classic Tosca returns with Ghena Dimitrova.

Famed translator and music critic Andrew Porter made his directorial debut.

Mozart’s beloved comedy performed by an adorable young cast.

Despair, madness, and revenge fill the stage in Donizetti’s classic Lucia di Lammermoor.

Carol Neblett made her debut as Puccini’s coquette.

Barbara Daniels impresses in this production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

Seattle favorite Dale Duesing starred in the ‘baritone’ version of Massenet’s tragedy.

Leonie Rysanek’s unforgettable Seattle appearance!

For Seattle Opera’s only production of this masterpiece, we projected titles above the stage for the first time.

Jon Vickers as Britten’s tragic fisherman misfit.

Francesca Zambello’s production boasted “theatrical virtues equaled only by a vintage MGM spectacular.”

Starring June Anderson as Rosina!

Carol Vaness takes on the role of Violetta in Verdi’s classic.

The world’s favorite operetta, starring several popular television stars of the day.

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

One of the more successful productions from Speight Jenkins’ first season.

Bizet’s sexy gypsy returns to the main stage!

The final cycle produced by Glynn Ross.

Vinson Cole and Kathryn Gameroni were affectingly romantic as the star-crossed lovers.

Starring Kaaren Erickson as Susanna.