Triumphal March and Ballet from AIDA

Listen to one of Verdi’s most popular tunes!

Artist of the Year: JOHN RELYEA as the Four Villains

John Relyea’s unforgettable “Hoffmann” villains!

2009 Bluebeard’s Castle & Erwartung

This fascinating double-bill won its director Artist of the Year.

2005/06 Die Fledermaus Program

Explore the 2005/06 Die Fledermaus Program!

2007 Iphigénie en Tauride

Discover Seattle Opera and Metropolitan Opera’s co-production of Iphigénie en Tauride, claimed as a rare treasure, debuted in 2007.

2004 Lohengrin

Revival of the 1994 production directed by Stephen Wadsworth.

2001 Ring

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

1999/2000 Boris Godunov Program

Explore the 1999/2000 Boris Godunov Program!

2000/01 Tosca Program

Explore the 2000/01 Tosca Program!

2005 YAP Marriage of Figaro

The first Young Artists Program opera directed by Peter Kazaras!

2006/07 Julius Caesar in Egypt Program

Explore the 2006/07 Julius Caesar in Egypt Program!

"Earthquake" TOSCA

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

2006 Giulio Cesare

The earliest opera yet presented by Seattle Opera.

2008 YAP Tatyana’s Letter Program

Explore the 2008 Young Artists Program Tatyana’s Letter Program!

Artist of the Year: STEPHEN MILLING as Gurnemanz

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

2005 The End Of The Affair

The first Jake Heggie opera performed at Seattle Opera.

2005 YAP Marriage of Figaro Program

Explore the 2005 Young Artists Program Marriage of Figaro Program!

2001/02 Rusalka

Explore the 2001/02 Rusalka Program!

2004 YAP Cosi Fan Tutte Program

Explore the 2004 Young Artists Program Cosi fan tutte Program!

2006 YAP Turn of the Screw

A beautifully haunting production of Britten’s ghost story.

2007 Don Giovanni

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

2003/04 La fanciulla del West Program

Explore the 2003/04 Girl of the West Program!

2001 Rusalka

The last opera produced in the old Seattle Opera House.

2008 YAP Enchanted Child, Gianni Schicchi Program

Explore the 2008 Young Artists Program Enchanted Child, Gianni Schicchi Program!

2003 Don Pasquale

An old fool makes the mistake of a lifetime when he marries a pretty young thing.

Speight’s Wagner Memories: 03 PARSIFAL

Speight remembers consecrating McCaw Hall with Wagner’s most Wagnerian opera.

2000 Lucia di Lammermoor

Seattle-based creative team Stephen Terrell, Edie Whitsett, Claire Hewitt, and Robert Wierzel created a psychologically taught, claustrophobic production of this bel canto tragedy.

2008 Elektra

Grief, revenge, and murder… Explore Strauss’s Elektra!

Scene One Finale from UN BALLO IN MASCHERA

Listen to some of Verdi’s bubbliest music.

2006 The Tragedy of Carmen Program

Explore the 2006 Young Artists Program The Tragedy of Carmen Program!

Costume Shop

History of our costume shop!

“Un bel dì” from MADAMA BUTTERFLY

Patricia Racette in her Seattle debut.

2000 YAP Don Giovanni Program

Explore the 2000 Young Artists Program Don Giovanni Program!

2007 YAP Trouble in Tahiti

A touring production of Bernstein’s American masterpiece.

2001/02 Un ballo in maschera Program

Explore the 2001/02 Un ballo in maschera Program!

2000/01 Lucia di Lammermoor Program

Explore the 2000/01 Lucia di Lammermoor Program!

2000 Boris Godunov

The first opera of the new century showcased the chorus in their leading role as the people of Russia.

Artist of the Year: STEPHANIE BLYTHE as Amneris

Stephanie Blythe curses Verdi’s priests.

2000 Lakmé

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

2009/10 La Traviata Program

Explore the 2009/10 La Traviata Program!

2005 Florencia en el Amazonas

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

2009 Siegfried

From the 2009 Ring cycle performances

2004 Carmen

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

2001 YAP La Cenerentola Program

Explore the 2001 Young Artists Program La Cenerentola Program!

2009 YAP Cosi Fan Tutte Program

Explore the 2009 Young Artists Program Cosi Fan Tutte Program!

2009 Das Rheingold

From the 2009 Ring

2004/05 Florencia in the Amazon Program

Explore the 2004/05 Florencia in the Amazon Program!

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.

2006 & 2008 International Wagner Competitions

Hear the winners of our International Wagner Competitions!

2000: "Boris" Bells Ring in the New Millenium

The people of Russia acclaim their new Tsar–but strange harmonies in the clanging bells warn us that all is not well.

2004/05 Manon Lescaut Program

Explore the 2004/05 Manon Lescaut Program!

2008 Tosca

Greer Grimsley stars as the perfect villain!

2009 Götterdämmerung

From 2009 Ring cycle performances.

2008/09 The Pearl Fishers Program

Explore the 2008/09 The Pear Fishers Program!

2003 Mourning Becomes Electra

Based on the Eugene O’Neill play, and revised by the composer for Seattle Opera’s production.

2008 Les pêcheurs de perles

Bizet’s exotic bonbon returns, starring William Burden.

2000 YAP Don Giovanni

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

“Gold” and “Silver” Casts

The twin casts of Speight Jenkins’ Seattle Opera.

2003 YAP La Boheme Program

Explore the 2003 Young Artists Program La Boheme Program!

2008 Aida

Artist of the Year Winner Stephanie Blythe wows in Aida.

2006/07 Don Giovanni Program

Explore the 2006/07 Don Giovanni Program!

2004/05 Rigoletto Program

Explore the 2004/05 Rigoletto Program!

Speight’s Wagner Memories: 01 RING

Speight finds a new Siegfried–with two days notice!

2008 YAP Tatyana’s Letter

A powerfully effective chamber version of Eugene Onegin.

2004 Rigoletto

Revival of 1995 production updating the action to Mussolini’s Italy.

2003 Norma

Ewa Podles receives the artist of the year award in 2003’s production of Norma.

2001/02 Salome Program

Explore the 2001/02 Salome Program!

2005/06 Macbeth Program

Explore the 2005/06 Macbeth Program!

2008 I Puritani

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

2000 Il barbiere di Siviglia

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

“The RING Goes to School”

Wagner’s mighty epic performed for–and by!–kids all over Washington State.

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.”

2009/10 Falstaff Program

Explore the 2009/10 Falstaff Program!

2006/07 La Boheme Program

Explore the 2006/07 La Boheme Program!

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.

2007 YAP Trouble in Tahiti, Rita Program

Explore the 2008 Young Artists Program Trouble in Tahiti & Rita Program!

Rhinedaughter Laid Low By Bad Fish

When a vocal cover is not enough…

2003 Parsifal

The unforgettable opera that opened McCaw Hall!

2002/03 Don Pasquale Program

Explore the 2002/03 Don Pasquale Program!

2004/05 The Tales of Hoffmann Program

Explore the 2004/05 Tales of Hoffmann Program!

2009 Marriage of Figaro

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

2002/03 Fidelio Program

Explore the 2002/03 Fidelio Program!

2008/09 Elektra Program

Explore the 2008/09 Elektra Program!

2006 Die Fledermaus

Who says Wagner singers are no fun?

The Road to Valhalla Part 4: Special Effects

The Making of the Ring

2001 Billy Budd

Britten’s all-male nautical tragedy made its Seattle Opera debut in a spectacular production from Francesca Zambello, Alison Chitty, and Alan Burrett.

2005/06 The End of the Affair Program

Explore the 2005/06 The End of the Affair Program!

2006 Macbeth

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

2007 YAP Rita

Tenor and baritone fight—not for the soprano’s love, but to escape her!

2009 YAP Midsummer Night’s Dream

Our Young Artists rise to the challenge of Britten’s Shakespeare!

Artist of the Year: CHRISTOPHER MALTMAN as Billy Budd

Hear Christopher Maltman sing his award-winning Billy Budd!

Violetta-Germont Duet, with Nuccia Focile and Charles Taylor

Hear a Verdi duet of heartbreaking beauty.

2006 The Italian Girl in Algiers Program

Explore the 2006/07 L’Italiana in Algeri Program!

2001 Ring Program

Explore the 2001 Ring Program!

2000/01 Billy Budd Program

Explore the 2000/01 Billy Budd Program!

The Road to Valhalla Part 5: Orchestra & Chorus

The making of the Ring

2001/02 Madama Butterfly Program

Explore the 2001/02 Madama Butterfly Program!

2009 DAS RHEINGOLD Preview

Three-minute complilation of footage from the final dress rehearsal of 2009’s DAS RHEINGOLD.

1999/2000 The Magic Flute Program

Explore the 1999/2000 Magic Flute Program

2003/04 Carmen Program

Explore the 2003/04 Carmen Program!

2000/01 Das Rheingold, Die Walküre Program

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

1999/2000 Der Freischutz Program

Explore the 1999/2000 Der Freischutz Program!

2002 Salome

Conducted by Gerard Schwarz, this opera stretched Mercer Arts Arena to the acoustic limits.

2008 YAP Gianni Schicchi

Puccini’s great comedy in a brilliant YAP production!

2009 Die Walküre

From the 2009 Ring cycle performances

2006 Così fan tutte

Jonathan Miller’s startlingly contemporary production.

2002 Eugene Onegin

Nuccia Focile’s debut with Seattle Opera signing the title role, Tatyana, in Eugene Onegin

1999/2000 Lakme Program

Explore the 1999/2000 Lakme Program!

PARSIFAL Enters the Grail Temple

Listen to Asher Fisch conduct overwhelming music from the first show in McCaw Hall!

Final Fugue from FALSTAFF

Hear the lively conclusion to Verdi’s great comedy.

2007 YAP Falstaff

Peter Kazaras’s brilliant production is born.

2009/10 Il Trovatore Program

Explore the 2009/10 Il Trovatore Program!

2009 YAP Così fan tutte

A ‘Just Add Water’ Così that toured the state in the fall of 2009.

Norah Amsellem as Gilda

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

Andrea Gruber sings Lady Macbeth

“Out, damn spot…out, I say!”

2000/01 Falstaff Program

Explore the 2000/01 Falstaff Program!

2007 Julius Caesar

The earliest composed opera performed by Seattle Opera.

2008/09 Aida Program

Explore the 2008/09 Aida Program!

2005 Ring

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

2009 YAP Midsummer Night’s Dream

Britten’s Shakespeare, set in a magical boarding school!

2009 Ring Program

Explore the 2009 Ring Program!

2007 YAP Falstaff Program

Explore the 2007 Young Artists Program Falstaff Program!

2005/06 Cosi fan tutte Program

Explore the 2005/06 Cosi fan tutte Program!

2006 Der Rosenkavalier

Carol Vaness made her role debut as The Marschallin and Maestro Asher Fisch won Artist-of-the-Year honors for conducting this revival of Bruno Schwengl’s lavish production.

2007/08 Tosca Program

Explore the 2007/08 Tosca Program!

Artist of the Year: ALEXANDER ANISIMOV as Boris Godunov

Listen to a great Russian bass who shared his country’s greatest opera with Seattle.

2009 Ring

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

Artist of the Year: GREER GRIMSLEY as Wotan

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

2009 The Road to Valhalla Part 2 – Costumes

The making of the Ring

2006 YAP Turn of the Screw Program

Explore the 2006 Young Artists Program The Turn of the Screw Program!

2006/07 Der Rosenkavalier Program

Explore the 2006/07 Der Rosenkavalier Program!

Artist of the Year: MARIUSZ KWIECIEN as Don Giovanni

Marius Kwiecien sings the Champagne Aria!

PERRY LORENZO on Wagner’s “Ring”

Listen to a clip from Perry Lorenzo’s famous RING lectures!

Speight’s Wagner Memories: 05 RING

Speight: “A remarkably easy RING!”

2008 Pagliacci

Both comedy and tragedy are found in Pagliacci, but laughter turns to tears in this Seattle Opera production 2008.

“O soave fanciulla” from LA BOHÈME

One of opera’s best-loved love duets.

2002 Madama Butterfly

Puccini’s iconic tragedy, a staple of operatic performance, is performed for eager audiences.

2003 Norma Program

Explore the 2002/03 Norma Program!

2003/04 Ariadne auf Naxos Program

Explore the 2003/04 Ariadne auf Naxos Program!

2009 YAP A Midsummer Night’s Dream Program

Explore the 2009 Young Artists Program A Midsummer Night’s Dream Program!

L’italiana in Algeri Act One Finale

Listen to some of the silliest music in all opera!

Le nozze di Figaro ’09

Listen to highlights from Mozart’s perfect opera.

2003 YAP Così fan tutte

A lively Young Artists production of Mozart’s comedy.

2009 "Speight Jenkins Day" on April 25

Mayor Greg Nickels honored Speight’s 25th with a proclamation.

2005 Les contes d’Hoffmann

This colorful and imaginative production will return in May 2014.

2007 La Bohéme

Love at first candle lighting.

2008/09 The Marriage of Figaro Program

Explore the 2008/09 The Marriage of Figaro Program!

1999/2000 The Barber of Seville Program

Explore the 1999/2000 Barber of Seville Program!

2002/03 Eugene Onegin Program

Explore the 2002/03 Eugene Onegin Program!

2005 Manon Lescaut

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

COSÌ FAN TUTTE Silly Sextet

Hear audience laughter drowning out Mozart’s music!

2007/08 Iphigenia in Tauris Program

Explore the 2007/08 Iphigenia in Tauris Program!

Speight’s Wagner Memories: 2000 Half-RING

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

Stage Management

The unseen heroes who bring it all together!

2007/08 Pagliacci Program

Explore the 2007/08 Pagliacci Program!

2003 YAP La bohème

The Young Artists played Puccini’s beloved tragedy against Impressionist imagery.

2009 LA TRAVIATA

The first of three Verdi operas featured in our 2009/10 season.

2008 YAP L’enfant et les sortilèges

An imaginative production of a wonderfully magical opera.

2001 Tosca

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

The “Lakmé” Tag-Team Tenor Triumph

One performance, one role, two tenors!

2003/04 Parsifal Progarm

Explore the 2003/04 Parsifal Program!

2007/08 Flying Dutchman Program

Explore the 2007/08 Flying Dutchman Program!

Artist of the Year: LAWRENCE BROWNLEE as Arturo

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

Artist of the Year: EWA PODLEŚ as Adalgisa

Hear Ewa Podles’s award-winning Adalgisa!

2008/09 Bluebeard’s Castle, Erwartung Program

Explore the 2008/09 Bluebeard’s Castle and Erwartung Program!

2003 Fidelio

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

2002 YAP La Cenerentola

The Young Artists take on Rossini’s Cinderella!

The Road to Valhalla Part 3: Sets and Props

The Making of the Ring

2007: Brett Polegato as Oreste

Hear Oreste’s mad scene from Gluck masterpiece, in a co-production created with the Met.

2006 YAP La serva padrona

The world’s first opera buffa, toured around Washington by the Young Artists.

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.

2005 Ring Program

Explore the 2005 Ring Program!

2004 Ariadne auf Naxos

Chris Alexander’s first award-winning production.

2007/08 I Puritani Program

Explore the 2007/08 I Puritani Program!

2009 RING – Road to Valhalla Part I: Rehearsals and Artists

Part one of our series previewing 2009 RING Cycle focused on the artists involved and their rehearsal process.

2006: Nicola Luisotti Conducts Macbeth

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

2003/04 Mourning Becomes Electra Program

Explore the 2003/04 Mourning Becomes Electra Program!

Opera Goes To School

Grade-schoolers performing side-by-side with Seattle Opera Young Artists!

2006 The Italian Girl in Algiers

“I think this is getting too silly!”

2009 Le nozze di Figaro

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

2006 YAP Tragedy of Carmen

YAP’s first ‘black-box’ opera tour!

2004 La fanciulla del West

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

2002 Un Ballo in maschera

Three of our favorite singers starred in this Verdi masterpiece.