The Magic Flute

Listen to some of Mozart’s greatest music, from performances in 1999 and 2011.

1993 Pelléas et Mélisande

Dale Chihuly’s designs matched Debussy’s evocative, translucent music perfectly.

1990/91 War and Peace Program

Explore the 1990/91 War and Peace Program!

1996 Elektra

Madness at Mycenae! Gerard Schwarz conducted this Greek-inspired tragic psychological thriller.

Speight’s Wagner Memories: 95 RING

Speight finds a new Siegfried–after the final dress rehearsal!

1989/90 Il Trovatore Program

Explore the 1989/90 Il Trovatore Program!

Artist of the Year: HAROLYN BLACKWELL as Gilda

Hear Harolyn Blackwell’s award-winning “Caro nome.”

1998/99 Faust Program

Explore the 1998/99 Faust Program!

Speight’s Wagner Memories: 91 RING

The once-controversial “Ring 2” finally earns complete acceptance.

1997 Werther

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

1998 Tristan und Isolde

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

1991 Ariadne of Naxos

Images highlighting 1991’s Ariadne of Naxos

1990/91 Anna Bolena Program

Explore the 1990/91 Anna Bolena Program!

1994/95 Lohengrin Program

Explore the 1994/95 Lohengrin Program!

Artist of the Year: ROBERT ORTH as Danilo

Hear Robert Orth sing “Da geh’ ich zu Maxims”!

“O mio babbino caro” from GIANNI SCHICCHI

Listen to one of Puccini’s most beloved melodies.

1996/97 Xerxes Program

Explore the 1996/97 Xerxes Program!

1999/2000 Boris Godunov Program

Explore the 1999/2000 Boris Godunov Program!

1992 Aida

Aida set in a 19th century Museum of Egyptology? This Rochaix/Israel production intrigued some and baffled others.

1998 YAP Cosi Fan Tutte Program

Explore the 1998 Young Artists Program Cosi fan tutte Program!

1992 The Ballad of Baby Doe

This charming folk opera returned to Seattle Opera with an all-new cast.

1999 Die Zauberflöte

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

JULIAN PATRICK as Alberich

One of our favorite baritones sings Alberich’s curse.

1989/90 Dialogues of the Carmelites Program

Explore the 1989/90 Dialogues of the Carmelites Program!

Artist of the Year: BRIAN ASAWA as Arsamene

Hear Brian Asawa’s award-winning performance in Xerxes!

1995 Carmen

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

1997 Le nozze di Figaro

An amusing production of Mozart’s beloved comedy.

1999/2000 Lakme Program

Explore the 1999/2000 Lakme Program!

1990 War and Peace

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

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

Hear opera’s ultimate tenor-baritone duet.

1992/93 Aida Program

Explore the 1992/93 Aida Program!

1990 Les contes d’Hoffmann

Offenbach’s masterpiece, in a lovely Gunther Schneider-Siemssen production.

1995 Rigoletto

Gordon Hawkins became Seattle’s Verdi baritone of choice with this production.

1999 Vanessa

Our only production of this intriguing American work.

Speight’s Wagner Memories: 94 LOHENGRIN

Speight gets the swan just the way he likes it!

1997/98 The Elixir of Love Program

Explore the 1997/98 Elixir of Love Program!

Siegfried’s Bear

Perhaps the wildest animal ever to appear on our stage…

1997 Il trovatore

This revival of Nicholas Muni’s 1989 production, set in a strange dreamscape, starred Gordon Hawkins, fast becoming Seattle’s Verdi baritone of choice, as Count Di Luna.

1992 The Passion of Jonathan Wade

Dale Duesing played a Union soldier in over his head in post-Civil War South Carolina.

1990/91 Cavalleria Rusticana and Gianni Schicchi Program

Explore the 1990/91 Cavalleria Rusticana and Gianni Schicchi Program!

1997/98 Der Rosenkavalier Program

Explore the 1997/98 Der Rosenkavalier Program!

1990/91 Rusalka Program

Explore the 1990/91 Rusalka Program!

1991/92 The Ballad of Baby Doe Program

Explore the 1990/91 Ballad of Baby Doe Program!

JULIAN PATRICK as Don Magnifico

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

1995/96 Andrea Chenier Program

Explore the 1995/96 Andrea Chenier Program!

1999 Die Fledermaus

Drag, disguise, and dummies make Die Fledermaus one of the world’s most popular operettas!

1997/98 The Marriage of Figaro Program

Explore the 1997/98 Marriage of Figaro Program!

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

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

Florence Quivar Sings Azucena’s Narrative

A great artist in an unforgettable scene.

1996/97 Werther Program

Explore the 1996/97 Werther Program!

1999 YAP The Marriage of Figaro Program

Explore the 1999 Young Artists Program The Marriage of Figaro Program!

1992/93 The Merry Widow Program

Explore the 1992/93 The Merry Widow Program!

1990 Rusalka

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

1998 La bohème

An attractive young cast was terrific in this beloved opera about tragic young love.

Artist of the Year: SHERI GREENAWALD as Florencia

Listen to Sheri Greenawald’s award-winning performance as Catan’s Florencia.

1996 La Cenerentola

A Cinderella comedy without the glass slipper–but with a hilariously pompous stepfather and a rogue servant.

1999 Der Freischütz

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

Speight’s Wagner Memories: 98 TRISTAN UND ISOLDE

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

1993/94 The Pearl Fishers Program

Explore the 1993/94 The Pearl Fishers Program!

1993/94 Don Carlos Program

Explore the 1993/94 Don Carlos Program!

1993/94 The Turn of the Screw Program

Explore the 1993/94 Turn of the Screw Program!

1991 Ring Program

Explore the 1991 Ring Program!

1993 The Merry Widow

Catch a glimpse of Seattle Opera’s first and only production of Lehár’s The Merry Widow.

1998 Young Artists Program Founded

Images from the first few years of our Young Artists Program!

1994 Norma

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

1995 Ring

The final outing of Ring 2 was a great success, artistically—and financially!

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.

1991 Fidelio

Beethoven’s epic story of love, power, deception, and perseverance.

1994 Les pêcheurs de perles

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

1995 Ring Program

Explore the 1995 Ring Program!

1993/94 Hansel and Gretel Program

Explore the 1993/94 Hansel and Gretel Program!

1997 Xerxes

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

1995/96 La Traviata Program

Explore the 1996/97 La Traviata Program!

1998/99 Don Giovanni Program

Explore the 1998/99 Don Giovanni Program!

1992/93 Pelléas et Mélisande Program

Explore the 1992/93 Pelléas et Mélisande Program!

1999 YAP Le nozze di Figaro

An adorable young cast in Mozart’s whirligig comedy.

1996/97 Il Trovatore Program

Explore the 1996/97 Il Trovatore Program!

1990 Cavalleria Rusticana

Images highlighting 1990’s Cavalleria Rusticana

1996 La traviata

A rare summer performance of a Verdi classic!

“La mamma morta” from ANDREA CHENIER

A great Italian American soprano in her Seattle Opera debut.

1989 Dialogues des Carmelites

Our only production of the Poulenc masterpiece.

1996/97 Turandot Program

Explore the 1996/97 Turandot Program!

1992 Lucia di Lammermoor

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

1993 Don Carlos

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

1991 Don Giovanni

Don Giovanni as Seattle had never seen it before!

1995 Porgy and Bess

The greatest American opera came to Seattle in a production organized by Houston Grand Opera.

1994 Norma Program

Explore the 1993/94 Norma Program!

1990/91 Ariadne auf Naxos Program

Explore the 1990/91 Ariadne auf Naxos Program!

1992 Cosi fan tutte

Richard Stilwell, Sheri Greenawald, Vinson Cole and others starred in Mozart’s thought-provoking comedy.

1994 The Turn of the Screw

A haunting and memorable production of what is often considered Britten’s masterpiece.

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.

1994 Hansel und Gretel

Angels aloft! And sliding down a giant playground slide in this familiar fairy-tale.

1991 La bohème

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

1999/2000 The Barber of Seville Program

Explore the 1999/2000 Barber of Seville Program!

1998 Florencia en el Amazonas

A soprano turned into a butterfly at the climax of Seattle Opera’s first Spanish-language opera!

1997/98 Florencia in the Amazon Program

Explore the 1997/98 Florencia in the Amazon Program!

1990/91 Don Giovanni Program

Explore the 1990/91Don Giovanni Program!

1995/96 Elektra Program

Explore the 1995/96 Elektra Program!

1989/90 Marriage of Figaro Program

Explore the 1989/90 Marriage of Figaro Program!

Artist of the Year: JANE EAGLEN as Norma

The stunning debut of one of our favorite sopranos!

1994/95 Madama Butterfly Program

Explore the 1994/95 Madama Butterfly Program!

1992/93 The Barber of Seville Program

Explore the 1992/93 Barber of Seville Program!

1999 Don Giovanni

The playboy is punished! This Don G featured a heroic Ottavio and a despicable Giovanni.

1998/99 Die Fledermaus Program

Explore the 1998/99 Die Fledermaus Program!

1992/93 The Passion of Jonathan Wade Program

Explore the 1992/93 Passion of Jonathan Wade Program!

Artist of the Year: BEN HEPPNER as Andrea Chenier

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

1990 WAR AND PEACE

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

1995/96 Carmen Program

Explore the 1995/96 Carmen Program!

1997/98 La Boheme Program

Explore the 1997/98 La Boheme Program!

1994/95 The Cunning Little Vixen Program

Explore the 1994/95 Cunning Little Vixen Program!

1997 Der Rosenkavalier

A sumptuous production of Richard Strauss’s most popular opera.

1991/92 Cosi fan tutte Program

Explore the 1991/92 Cosi fan tutte Program!

1999/2000 The Magic Flute Program

Explore the 1999/2000 Magic Flute Program

1991/92 Fidelio Program

Explore the 1991/92 Fidelio Program!

1991 Ring

RING 2 achieved widespread acceptance this summer, and the number of performances increased to three.

1985-1995 RING 2

Watch clips from our imaginative second production of Wagner’s Ring.

1990 Gianni Schicchi

Images highlighting 1990’s Gianni Schicchi

1995 Madama Butterfly

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

1989/90 The Daughter of the Regiment Program

Explore the 1989/90 Daughter of the Regiment Program!

Song to the Moon from RUSALKA

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

1996 Andrea Chénier

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

1991/92 Lucia di Lammermoor Program

Explore the 1991/92 Lucia di Lammermoor Program!

1998/99 Vanessa Program

Explore the 1998/99 Vanessa Program!

1996 Turandot

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

1989/90 The Tales of Hoffmann Program

Explore the 1989/90 The Tales of Hoffmann Program!

1994 Lohengrin

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

1994 The Cunning Little Vixen

Maurice Sendak designed this charming production of an opera beloved by all ages.

1990 Daughter of the Regiment

Harolyn Blackwell’s Seattle Opera debut!

1991/92 La Boheme Program

Explore the 1991/92 La Boheme Program!

1994/95 Rigoletto Program

Explore the 1994/95 Rigoletto Program!

1993/94 Tosca Program

Explore the 1993/94 Tosca Program!

Artist of the Year: SALLY WOLF as Lucia

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

1992 Barber of Seville

Mirth and madness from the master of operatic mayhem!

1998/99 Tristan und Isolde Program

Explore the 1998/99 Tristan and Isolde Program!

1999/2000 Der Freischutz Program

Explore the 1999/2000 Der Freischutz Program!

1994/95 Porgy and Bess Program

Explore the 1994/95 Porgy and Bess Program!

1996 La Cenerentola Program

Explore the 1995/96 Cinderella Program!

1991 Anna Bolena

Images highlighting 1991’s Anna Bolena

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

Two of opera’s darkest characters blend their voices.

1993 Tosca

A lovely Tosca faced off against a vile Scarpia in this fine production.

1991 Ariadne auf Naxos

Our colorful first production of the Strauss-Hofmannsthal charmer!