Opera in New York

The NYC premiere of a new English version of the sharp, jazz-infused 1929 musical satire by Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht and Elisabeth Hauptmann blazes with wit, grit and dark glamour. A follow-up to the trio’s success with The Threepenny Opera, Happy End is a satire of big business and big religion set in a smoky speakeasy where religion and capitalism collide. The unforgettable score includes “Bilbao Song,” “Mandalay Song” and “Surabaya Johnny.” Directed by Mary Birnbaum, this compact new English adaptation by Kelley Rourke is music directed by Rob Ainsley and features Ana Karneža, a Juilliard drama graduate and 2024 winner of the Kurt Weill Foundation’s Lotte Lenya Competition, and instrumentalists from the Manhattan School of Music’s Jazz program. The presentation is part of a historic new collaborative partnership between The Glimmerglass Festival, Opera Saratoga, Finger Lakes Opera and the Seagle Festival. 2026-27 tickets go on sale in July. Leadership support for chamber opera is made possible by the Roz Lasker Chamber Opera Fund.

The NYC premiere of a new English version of the sharp, jazz-infused 1929 musical satire by Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht and Elisabeth Hauptmann blazes with wit, grit and dark glamour. A follow-up to the trio’s success with The Threepenny Opera, Happy End is a satire of big business and big religion set in a smoky speakeasy where religion and capitalism collide. The unforgettable score includes “Bilbao Song,” “Mandalay Song” and “Surabaya Johnny.” Directed by Mary Birnbaum, this compact new English adaptation by Kelley Rourke is music directed by Rob Ainsley and features Ana Karneža, a Juilliard drama graduate and 2024 winner of the Kurt Weill Foundation’s Lotte Lenya Competition, and instrumentalists from the Manhattan School of Music’s Jazz program. The presentation is part of a historic new collaborative partnership between The Glimmerglass Festival, Opera Saratoga, Finger Lakes Opera and the Seagle Festival. Leadership support for chamber opera is made possible by the Roz Lasker Chamber Opera Fund.

SOLD OUT The NYC premiere of a new English version of the sharp, jazz-infused 1929 musical satire by Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht and Elisabeth Hauptmann blazes with wit, grit and dark glamour. A follow-up to the trio’s success with The Threepenny Opera, Happy End is a satire of big business and big religion set in a smoky speakeasy where religion and capitalism collide. This production brings together all of the original songs, including “Bilbao Song,” “Mandalay Song” and “Surabaya Johnny,” with English lyrics from Michael Feingold's American adaptation. Directed by Mary Birnbaum, this compact new English adaptation by Kelley Rourke is music directed by Rob Ainsley and features Ana Karneža, a Juilliard drama graduate and 2024 winner of the Kurt Weill Foundation’s Lotte Lenya Competition, and instrumentalists from the Manhattan School of Music’s Jazz program. The presentation is part of a historic new collaborative partnership between The Glimmerglass Festival, Opera Saratoga, Finger Lakes Opera and the Seagle Festival.

Program: Cherubini , Médée/Medea Performers: Metropolitan Opera; Carlo Rizzi , Conductor; Sir David McVicar , Director; Sonya Yoncheva , Medea; Michael Spyres , Giasone

Revival October 30–November 21 Cherubini’s rarely performed take on classic Greek tragedy stars leading diva Sonya Yoncheva as the ultimate woman scorned, the sorceress whose betrayal drives her to an unthinkable act of revenge. Clarion tenor Michael Spyres is Giasone, Medea’s unfaithful Argonaut husband, in David McVicar’s “impressive and enjoyable” (The New York Times) setting of the timeless myth.

Revival November 1–May 27 Searing passion, edge-of-your-seat action, and a career-defining title role: No opera is more dramatic than Puccini’s classic thriller. The ever-popular story of a jealous diva, the ardent painter who loves her, and the villainous chief of police who tears them asunder features several of opera’s biggest stars in a grand, immersive production by David McVicar that transports audiences to three picturesque locations in Rome. Music Director Yannick Nézet- Séguin and Principal Guest Conductor Daniele Rustioni each take the podium.

Program: Puccini , Tosca Performers: Metropolitan Opera; Oksana Lyniv , Conductor; Sir David McVicar , Director; Saioa Hernández , Floria Tosca; SeokJong Baek , Mario Cavaradossi; Quinn Kelsey , Baron Scarpia

Program: Mazzoli , Lincoln in the Bardo Performers: Metropolitan Opera; Yannick Nézet-Séguin , Conductor; Steven Osgood , Conductor; Lileana Blain-Cruz , Director; Peter Mattei , Lincoln