Before the curtain rose Saturday night, Cincinnati Opera offered a preview of what awaits next summer. From the Music Hall stage, Artistic Director Evans Mirageas unveiled the company’s 2027 Summer Festival, a June 18-Aug. 1 season centered on what he called courage, conviction, romance, passion, celebration and discovery.
The season opens June 18, 2027 with the world premiere of “John Lewis: Good Trouble,” inspired by the life of the civil rights icon. The opera features music by Maria Thompson Corley and a libretto by Diana Solomon-Glover. It’s the second work created through Cincinnati Opera’s Black Opera Project, following this season’s “Lalovavi.” There’ll be a second performance June 20.
“During our 2026 season, it was thrilling to see how enthusiastically audiences responded to The Black Opera Project’s first work, ‘Lalovavi,’ an encouraging sign that this endeavor has arrived at just the right time,” Mirageas said. “We continue that momentum next summer.”
Next is “Viva Verdi!” on June 25, a concert celebrating the music of Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. Studio Sessions follow July 1 and July 14 in Music Hall’s Wilks Studio, where artists will curate intimate, cabaret-style performances.
Mozart’s comic classic “The Marriage of Figaro” takes the stage July 8 and July 10 in a period production. The season concludes with a new-to-Cincinnati production of Puccini’s final opera, “Turandot.” It’ll debut July 24 and have follow-up performances on July 30 and Aug. 1.
The full schedule is below.
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Palm Beach Opera)
Cincinnati Opera
2027 Summer Festival
“John Lewis: Good Trouble”
Music by Maria Thompson Corley
Libretto by Diana Solomon-Glover
June 18, 7:30 p.m.
June 20, 3 p.m.
Springer Auditorium, Music Hall
“John Lewis: Good Trouble” chronicles the life of the U.S. Congressman, a towering figure in the Civil Rights Movement. The opera interweaves Lewis’s personal story with the broader struggles of the time, capturing the essence of his unwavering commitment to love, non-violence and justice.
The title role will be sung by two singers representing distinct eras of Lewis’s life: Tenor Freddie Ballentine will take on the role of Younger John Lewis, and bass-baritone Kevin Short sings Elder John Lewis. As Lewis’s wife, Lillian, is mezzo-soprano Marietta Simpson, and Victoria Okafor sings the dual roles of civil rights activist Diane Nash and Older Sister.
Timothy Douglas serves as stage director and dramaturg, with Everett McCorvey, founder and music director of the American Spiritual Ensemble, conducting the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Damien Geter serving as chorus master. The all-new production will be constructed by Cincinnati Opera and helmed by the design team of Anthony Cisek (scenic design), Trevor Bowen (costume design), and Thomas C. Hase (lighting design).
“Viva Verdi!”
June 25, 7:30 p.m.
Springer Auditorium
Cincinnati Opera celebrates the singular genius of Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi with “Viva Verdi!,” a concert evening drawn from the composer’s most beloved arias, duets, choruses and instrumental interludes spanning favorite operas such as “Rigoletto,” “La Traviata,” “Aida,” and “Il Trovatore.” Featured artists and programming will be announced at a later date.
“The Marriage of Figaro”
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte
July 8 & July 10, 7:30 p.m.
Springer Auditorium
Janai Brugger stars as Countess Almaviva, with baritone Philip Addis as the Count. Lawson Anderson sings Figaro, and soprano Cadie J. Bryan portrays Susanna. Megan Moore is the young page Cherubino, Patrick Carfizzi, Doctor Bartolo, and Sarah Folsom, Marcellina.
Designed by Allen Charles Klein, the attractive period production comes from Indiana University and is a co-production of Opéra de Montréal, Michigan Opera Theatre, and Opera Carolina. Costumes have been reimagined by Elizabeth Licata, with lighting design by Thomas C. Hase and wig and makeup design by James Geier. Lorenzo Passerini conducts the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Henri Venanzi serves as chorus master.
“Turandot“
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni
July 24 & July 30, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 1, 3 p.m.
Springer Auditorium
Jessica Faselt tackles the title role of Princess Turandot. Matthew White makes his role debut as Calàf and Kathryn Lewek does the same as the devoted servant Liù.
The opulent, new-to-Cincinnati production, designed by Allen Charles Klein and originally directed by Bliss Hebert, hails from Lyric Opera of Chicago and is a co-production of the Dallas Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Houston Grand Opera and San Francisco Opera. Lighting design is by Thomas C. Hase with wig and makeup design by James Geier. On the podium leading the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will be Lorenzo Passerini. Henri Venanzi serves as chorus master.
Studio Sessions
July 1 & 14, 8 p.m.
Wilks Studio, Music Hall
Cincinnati Opera will host two Studio Sessions in Music Hall’s Wilks Studio, each offering an artist-curated, up-close and personal performance experience. These concerts immerse audiences in a unique atmosphere where artists take center stage, guiding the evening through storytelling and song. Featured artists and programming will be announced at a later date.
Tickets
Subscriptions for the 2027 Summer Festival are on sale now with special “early bird” pricing available until Sept. 14; subscriptions can be purchased at cincinnatiopera.org or by calling the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742. Individual tickets will be available for sale beginning Feb. 9.
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