Upcoming Events

2012-2013 Season

• Washington National Opera: Show Boat

  May 4 - 26, 2013
  Featuring legendary songs like "Ol' Man River" and "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," in a spectacular new production, "this joyous, beautifully mounted entertainment should keep rolling along for a long while to come" (Chicago Tribune).

• Washington National Opera: American Opera Initiative: Approaching Ali

  Jun. 8 - 9, 2013
  Composer D.J. Sparr and librettists Mark Campbell and Davis Miller's hour-long opera tells the story of a reporter's transformative meeting with the boxing legend Muhammad Ali. 

2013-2014 Season

• Washington National Opera: Tristan and Isolde

  Sep. 15 - 27, 2013
  In Wagner's retelling of the beloved Celtic myth and its star-crossed lovers, Deborah Voigt--one of the finest Wagnerian sopranos of our time--brings her alluring portrayal of Isolde to a stunning production featuring an impressive international cast.

• Washington National Opera: The Force of Destiny

  Oct. 12 - 26, 2013
  Thrust together by fate, three lives become intertwined on a path to ruin. WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello brings her inventive staging to this new production of Verdi's demanding masterpiece, featuring an exciting cast of international singers.

• Washington National Opera: American Opera Initiative: Three 20-Minute Operas

  Wed., Nov. 13, 2013, 7:30 PM
  WNO's American Opera Initiative moves into its second exciting season with the premieres of three new 20-minute operas in a concert performance accompanied by a small chamber orchestra, and followed by a Q&A session with the artists and creative team.

• Washington National Opera: WNO Commission Holiday Family Opera: The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me

  Dec. 14 - 22, 2013
  Most everyone knows the story of the Nativity, but probably not from the donkey's point of view! WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello brings this award-winning children's book to vibrant life in this heartwarming, world premiere holiday family opera.

• Washington National Opera: Moby-Dick

  Feb. 22 - Mar. 8, 2014
  One man's obsession leaves a lethal wake of destruction in Jake Heggie's triumphant new opera of Melville's literary masterwork--featuring massive nautical sets, dazzling visual effects, an achingly beautiful score, and a talented all-American cast.

• Washington National Opera: Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Concert

  Thu., Feb. 27, 2014, 7:30 PM
  The Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists continue their new, annual tradition in a special program of favorite opera scenes and arias.

• Washington National Opera: The Elixir of Love

  Mar. 20 - 29, 2014
  Handsome Nemorino employs a "magical tonic" to win feisty Adina's affections in Donizetti's loveable comic opera--a warm and inspired masterpiece cherished for its whimsical wit, endearing characters, beautiful arias, and intoxicating duets.

• Washington National Opera: An Evening with Paul Appleby and Joshua Hopkins, in Recital

  Sun., Apr. 6, 2014, 7:30 PM
  Get up close and personal with American tenor Paul Appleby and Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins before they make their WNO debuts in Mozart's The Magic Flute! Together with piano accompaniment, they offer a delightful evening of stories and song.

• Washington National Opera: The Magic Flute

  May 3 - 18, 2014
  A love-struck prince sets out on a fantastic adventure to rescue the Queen of the Night's daughter in Mozart's final opera. This "zesty and imaginative new production" (San Francisco Chronicle) is certain to captivate audiences of all ages.

• Washington National Opera: American Opera Initiative: New Hour-Long Opera

  Jun. 13 - 14, 2014
  The second season of the American Opera Initiative continues with an hour-long, world premiere opera written by a young composer-librettist team.