Experience the music wherever you are:
Opera in the Park is going digital.
Saturday, July 25 at 8 PM Central
Since 2002, Madison Opera has been bringing people together under the night sky in Garner Park for a free, festive evening of opera. This year, social distancing guidelines have forced us to think outside of the park – and thus we’re bringing our annual free concert to your backyard, to your porch, and to your living room.
In Madison and in cities across the U.S., our soloists are stepping into the studio to create a program of uplifting, entertaining, and beautiful music to share online. The program includes arias and ensembles by Mozart, Verdi, Donizetti, Puccini, Massenet, Rossini, and more.
Join us online on July 25 at 8pm CT for Opera in the Park in your backyard / on your porch / in your kayak. We will still be together with music under the same night sky, even though we cannot be in the same place.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I watch Opera in the Park?
Opera in the Park will be available to stream through Vimeo and there are a variety of ways you can access the stream.
- Visit madisonopera.org on a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer to view the stream.
- Once you have access to the stream, you may be able to watch it on your smart TV screen via Apple TV or Google Chromecast. (Individual home-set ups may be different.)
- You may also be able to connect your computer to your TV with an HDMI cable.
Is there a fee to watch the concert?
No, Opera in the Park is always free, thanks to our generous sponsors. If you enjoy the performance, please consider making a charitable gift to help support Madison Opera and Opera in the Park at madisonopera.org/Donate.
Can I only watch Opera in the Park on July 25 at 8pm CDT?
The full stream will be available to view following the performance until August 25, 2020, so you can watch it again and again!
Are there subtitles or translations available?
We do not have subtitles for this performance, but there are aria translations in our digital playbill, which you can download here. The program also contains artist bios and more.
I loved the concert! Will you be doing more things like this in the fall?
Yes! We are creating a fall season that lasts from September through December, and includes both digital content and live performances at the Margaret C. Winston Madison Opera Center, our home in downtown Madison.
Some of our signature engagement activities, such as Opera Novice and Opera Up Close, will have monthly editions that include artists from around the country. The Opera Center itself will be the site of “Live from the Opera Center,” a variety of streamed performances with a small live audience. Other performances will be created digitally and made available exclusively to subscribers.
Artists involved include members of the Il Trovatore cast: soprano Karen Slack, baritone Weston Hurt, bass Kenneth Kellogg, and stage director Fenlon Lamb. Other soloists include Wisconsin-based artists Jeni Houser, David Blalock, Emily Fons, Emily Secor, and Kirsten Larson.
We are working with our artists to create programming that is chosen from their passions: music they want to share, ideas they want to explore, and conversations they want to start. The challenges facing us will create new art, and new ways to make sure it is accessible to everyone. We can’t wait to share it with you!
Learn more at madisonopera.org/fall2020
Why hasn’t the stream started yet?
The stream will begin promptly at 8pm CDT. If you do not see the stream by 8:01pm, please try refreshing your browser window. Updates on any delays will be posted on Twitter at twitter.com/Madopera; you don’t need a Twitter account to access it.
Why is the video pixelated or blurry?
The stream automatically adjusts resolution settings to match your individual internet connection speed and device processing power. A high definition version of the full concert will be available to watch online after the concert.
Soloists
Jasmine Habersham
Soprano
Madison Opera Debut
Recently: Katie Jackson, The Fix (Minnesota Opera); Calaveras 2, Frida; Mariola, Out of Darkness: Two Remain (Atlanta Opera); Adina, The Elixir of Love (Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice); Pip, Moby Dick (Opera San Jose, Utah Opera); Clara, Porgy and Bess (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra)
Upcoming: Zerlina, Don Giovanni (Seattle Opera); Susanna, The Marriage of Figaro (Madison Opera)
Karen Slack
Soprano
Madison Opera Debut: Sister Rose, Dead Man Walking (2014)
Recently: Serena, Porgy and Bess (Metropolitan Opera, Fort Worth Opera); Billie, Fire Shut Up In My Bones (Opera Theatre of St. Louis); Tosca, Tosca (Opera Birmingham); Sister Rose, Dead Man Walking (Atlanta Opera, Minnesota Opera, Kentucky Opera, Vancouver Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City); Addie Parker, Charlie Parker’s Yardbird (Arizona Opera); Micaela, Carmen (Mill City Summer Opera); Emelda Griffith, Champion (New Orleans Opera, Opera Parallèle)
Upcoming: Madison Opera’s Digital Fall
Andres Acosta
Tenor
Madison Opera Debut: Timothy Laughlin, Fellow Travelers (2020)
Recently: Father Matias, El Milagro del Recuerdo (Houston Grand Opera); Arcadio, Florencia en el Amazonas (Pensacola Opera, Pittsburgh Opera); Alejandro, Frida (Atlanta Opera); Victor Garnier, All is Calm (Theater Latté Da); Soloist, Trouble in Tahiti (Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra); Timothy Laughlin, Fellow Travelers; Borsa, Rigoletto (Minnesota Opera)
Upcoming: Jasper, The Snowy Day, Fourth Esquire, Parsifal (Houston Grand Opera); Prince Charmant, Cendrillon (Florentine Opera); Timothy Laughlin, Fellow Travelers (Florida Grand Opera)
Weston Hurt
Baritone
Madison Opera Debut: Germont, La Traviata (2019)
Recently: Rigoletto, Rigoletto (New Orleans Opera); Germont, La Traviata (Seattle Opera, Portland Opera, Opera San Antonio); Sharpless, Madama Butterfly (Seattle Opera); Creon, Medea (Opera Omaha); Scarpia, Tosca (Nashville Opera)
Upcoming: Count di Luna, Il Trovatore (Portland Opera); Germont, La Traviata (Lyric Opera of Kansas City); Madison Opera’s Digital Fall
The History of Opera in the Park
Opera in the Park 2019
Sunday, July 21, 2018 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by John DeMain
Jeni Houser – soprano
Michele Johnson – soprano
David Blalock- tenor
Ben Edquist – baritone
with
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2018
Saturday, July 21, 2018 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by Gary Thor Wedow
Elizabeth Caballero – soprano
Levi Hernandez – baritone
John Lindsey – tenor
Brenda Rae – soprano
with
Anthony Cao – baritone
Anna Parks – mezzo-soprano
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2017
Saturday, July 22, 2017 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by Joseph Mechavich
Will Liverman – baritone
Cecilia Violetta Lopez – soprano
David Walton – tenor
Adriana Zabala – mezzo-soprano
with
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2016
Sunday, July 24, 2016 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by Gary Thor Wedow
Emily Birsan – soprano
Angela Brown – soprano
Sidney Outlaw – baritone
Scott Quinn – tenor
with
Kelsey Parks – mezzo-soprano
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2015
Saturday, July 25, 2015 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by John DeMain
Meredith Arwady – contralto
Eleni Calenos – soprano
Kyle Ketelsen – bass-baritone
Anna Laurenzo – mezzo-soprano
Harold Meers – tenor
with
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2014
Saturday, July 26, 2014 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by John DeMain
Wallis Giunta – mezzo-soprano
Jamie-Rose Guarrine – soprano
Kelly Markgraf – baritone
Sean Panikkar – tenor
with
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by John DeMain
Caitlin Cisler – soprano
Nmon Ford – baritone
Brian Jagde – tenor
Alexandra LoBianco – soprano
with
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Youth Choirs
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by Gary Thor Wedow
Matt Boehler – bass
Emily Fons – mezzo-soprano
Caitlin Lynch – soprano
Russell Thomas – tenor
with
Caitlin Cisler – soprano
Alan Dunbar – baritone
Heath Rush – tenor
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2010 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by John DeMain
Maria Kanyova – soprano
Daniela Mack – mezzo-soprano
Scott Ramsay – tenor
Hyung Yun – baritone
with
Gregory Brumfield – baritone
Saira Frank – soprano
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by John DeMain
Roderick Dixon – tenor
Anya Matanovic – soprano
Barbara Shirvis – soprano
Stephen Powell – baritone
with
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Youth Choirs
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by John DeMain
Lisa Daltrius – soprano
Adam Diegel – tenor
Jennifer Holloway – mezzo-soprano
Timothy Kuhn – baritone
with
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by John DeMain
Kendall Gladen – mezzo-soprano
Bryan Hymel – tenor
Luis Ledesma – baritone
Melody Moore – soprano
with
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by John DeMain
Elizabeth Caballero – soprano
Stephen Costello – tenor
Lester Lynch – baritone
Leah Partridge – soprano
with
Heath Rush – tenor
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2006
Saturday, July 22, 2006 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by John DeMain
Kristin Chávez – mezzo-soprano
Eric Fennell – tenor
Dina Kuznetsova – soprano
Guido LeBron – baritone
with
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2005
Saturday, July 16, 2005 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by John DeMain
Donnie Ray Albert – baritone
Elena Bocharova – mezzo-soprano
Kyle Ketelsen – bass-baritone
Ted Lee – tenor
Barbara Quintiliani – soprano
with
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2004
Saturday, July 17, 2004 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by Steven White
Elizabeth Futral – soprano
Kyle Ketelsen – bass-baritone
Malcolm MacKenzie – baritone
Scott Piper – tenor
Jennifer Rivera – mezzo-soprano
with
David Wallach – tenor
with
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2003
Saturday, July 19, 2003 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by Steven White
Thomas Barrett – baritone
Paula Delligatti – soprano
Angela Horn – mezzo-soprano
Andrew Richards – tenor
with
Bert Adams – bass
John Green – baritone
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2002
Saturday, July 20, 2002 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by John DeMain
Robin Follman – soprano
Sari Gruber – soprano
Angela Horn – mezzo-soprano
Kyle Ketelsen – bass-baritone
Malcom MacKenzie – baritone
Andrew Richards – tenor
with
Madison Opera Chorus
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Opera in the Park 2020 Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSOR
SPONSORS
With funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts
MEDIA SPONSORS
