Kentucky Opera Association Inc

Currently celebrating our 64th season, Kentucky Opera is the only major professional opera company in Kentucky.  Kentucky Opera offers a robust, exciting opera season, as well as innovative outreach/enrichment programs to the youth of the community.  Every opera production is produced locally, representing a unique collaboration among 400+ professionals.

Next season, Kentucky Opera plans to fill the stage with exciting productions and artists of extraordinary talent: 

• The Brown-Forman 2016/17 Season opens on the Mainstage of the Brown Theatre in September with Puccini’s Madame Butterfly.
• In November, Kentucky Opera’s second Mainstage production of the Brown-Forman 2016/17 Season is The Abduction from the Seraglio by Mozart. A new production designed by Des Moines Metro Opera in cooperation with Kentucky Opera. Sung in German, spoken dialogue in English with English supertitles.  
• Kentucky Opera’s Brown-Forman 2016/17 Season will close with The Mikado, by Gilbert and Sullivan in February. The Mikado is a pointed satire of the manners, politics, and institutions of Victorian era Britain; it deals comically and absurdly with pompous officials, prudish etiquette, and other foolishness. Delightful and instantly recognizable, the music of The Mikado features some of Gilbert and Sullivan’s best work.

In addition to the productions planned for The Brown-Forman 2016/17 Season, Kentucky Opera will conduct a variety of educational, outreach, and enrichment activities for adults and children, including:

• In school programs which include: Opera 101!, A Gilbert & Sullivan Review, and We Sing for A Nation. Kentucky Opera programs are aligned with several Kentucky State academic standards within arts and humanities, language arts and social studies.
• Final Dress Rehearsals for students are held prior to opening night of each Mainstage production and tickets are offered at a discounted $5 rate to students, teachers, and parents.
• Preview Discussions are available to student and community groups attending the Final Dress Rehearsals. This multimedia approach to understanding the musical and historical significance of the respective productions, as well as insights into the Kentucky Opera production process is a great way to prepare audiences for the performances.
• Online study and curriculum guides are available for download to assist teachers in preparing their students for both the school tour and dress rehearsals.
• Live broadcasts of the Lunch & Listen program are broadcast on WUOL Public Radio and Metro TV and re-broadcast prior to the opening of each new production.
• Season and performance-related activities such as Season Preview CDs, Opera Preview educational sessions held prior to each performance, and Opera Talk Back sessions with the cast following the Sunday matinee performance.

An integral part of the Kentucky Opera Experience is our wide variety of social events held throughout the year.  In addition to subscriber and patron parties there are many opportunities for the general public to get in on the fun and excitement of Kentucky Opera.

• The Opening Night Gala is held at the Friday performance of our productions and is filled with glamour and tuxedos. 
• Cast Parties are held after the Friday performance of each production at Theatre Square Marketplace. This is an opportunity to mingle with the Mainstage artists, chorus members, director, conductor, and technical staff all while enjoying hor d'oeuvres and cocktails.
• Our black tie gala Carnevale, held each January, is filled with wine and spirit tastings, delicious food, hosted bars, entertainment by our Studio Artists, live and silent auctions, and an after-hours lounge to round out the evening.
• The Young Professional Opera Patrons (YPOP) group is an exciting way to network with other young professionals and experience the collaborative art of opera. Special opportunities are provided to go to performances as well as get involved with other enrichment activities.