Pre-Opera Talks

Perfect for newcomers, opera aficionados or anyone in between, our pre-opera talks provide an engaging 20-minute overview of the opera. Learn about the opera’s music, characters, composer and historical background from a music expert.

Live pre-opera talks occur 55 minutes prior to each performance. Audio recorded pre-opera talks can be found on the details page for each opera once they are available (usually the week of the opening).

Un Ballo in Maschera The Handmaid's Tale Tristan and Isolde Beethoven 9 Carmen La Bohème Idomeneo

The Pre-Opera Talk for Un Ballo in Maschera ("Masked Ball") is now available!

A man with curly hair in a suit is sitting in a chair next to a woman wearing a white blouse and gold skirt. They are holding up paper scripts.

2024–25 Season Pre-Opera Talks

Un Ballo in Maschera (Sep 6-Sep 27)

Kip Cranna

The Handmaid's Tale (Sep 14-Oct 1)

Christabel Nunoo

Tristan and Isolde (Oct 19-Nov 5)

Peter Susskind

Beethoven 9 (Oct 26)

Jessica Bejarano

Carmen (Nov 13–Dec 1)

Michael Mohammed

La Bohème (Jun 3-Jun 21)

Robert Hartwell

Fall 2024
Un Ballo in Maschera, Kip Cranna (Sep 6-Sep 27)
The Handmaid's Tale, Christabel Nunoo (Sep 14-Oct 1)
Tristan and Isolde, Peter Susskind (Oct 19-Nov 5)
Beethoven 9, Jessica Bejarano (Oct 26)
Carmen, Michael Mohammed (Nov 13–Dec 1)

Summer 2025
La Bohème, Robert Hartwell (Jun 3-Jun 21)
Idomeneo, TBD (Jun 14–Jun 25)

Previous Seasons

More PRE-OPERA TALKS