Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 8pm
Garner Park
Free Admission
Join us as a Madison summer tradition returns!
In 2002, Madison Opera embarked on a new and ambitious venture: a free outdoor concert called Opera in the Park. In the years since, audiences have enjoyed music from 136 different operas, musicals, operettas, and zarzuelas, performed by artists who sing all around the world.
We are delighted to announce that Opera in the Park 2021 will take place in person in Garner Park. As always, it is free to attend, thanks to generous sponsors.
This summer’s concert stars soprano Amanda Majeski, mezzo Rehanna Thelwell, tenor Andrew Stenson, and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen. In order to allow distancing on the stage, they will be joined by an ensemble of solo instrumentalists, comprised of Madison-area musicians, led by conductor Stephanie Rhodes Russell.
Together this incredible group of musicians will perform music by Mozart, Donizetti, Gounod, Puccini, Schubert, Elgar, von Weber, Gershwin, Sondheim, and more. Click here to see the repertoire list.
Garner Park opens at 7am the day of the concert and reservations are not necessary. Blankets, chairs, food and beverages are allowed.
Polish up your light stick conducting skills, put together the perfect picnic basket, and get ready to enjoy the beautiful summer night and music, as we reconnect to shared spaces and experiences. We can’t wait to see you!
Opera in the Park
Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 8 PM
(Raindate: July 25 at 8 PM)
Garner Park
FREE ADMISSION
PUBLIC HEALTH
We are working closely with Public Health Madison & Dane County and Madison Parks to make Opera in the Park 2021 a safe and fun evening. The above information reflects current guidelines, but logistics of the event may change, subject to future Public Health orders. Updated information will be posted on this page.
WEATHER POLICY
We will decide by 5pm on Saturday if we need to postpone the concert to Sunday due to inclement weather. That decision will be posted on the homepage of our website, through social media, on our voicemail, and through the media.
PARKING
General parking is available at University Research Park and CUNA Mutual; entrances are off of Mineral Point Road. Signs are posted and Opera in the Park volunteers will be on hand to direct patrons.
For patrons with limited mobility, there is a drop-off point on Rosa Road at the Garner Park walking path. Ask the traffic officer at Rosa Road for access to the drop-off point, and they will let you through.
There is accessible parking on Rosa Road, Driftwood Ave., and South Hill Drive west of Rosa Road. Golf carts are available to transport patrons with limited mobility from their vehicles to the park before and after the performance. Ask an Opera in the Park volunteer for golf cart transport.
VOLUNTEERS
Opera in the Park is a success because of the dedicated volunteers that help us run the event every year. We have a variety of different volunteer tasks that suit a wide range of skill levels, including set-up, clean-up, helping with parking, driving a golf cart, handing out programs, and selling light sticks. To volunteer please click below!
OPERA IN THE PARK ONLINE!
Saturday, August 7 at 7 pm Central
YouTube.com/MadisonOpera
We are delighted to announce plans to offer a delayed stream of Opera in the Park, so that people who are unable to attend in person can still enjoy this Madison summer tradition. The concert will be streamed online on Saturday, August 7 at 7 pm Central, with the link available at madisonopera.org and through our social media channels. Sign up for our email, and we will send you the link directly.
Artists
Amanda Majeski, soprano
Madison Opera Stage Debut
Recently with MO: Digital 20/21 Season
Recently: Vitellia, La Clemenza di Tito (Paris Opera); Donna Elvira, Don Giovanni (Lyric Opera of Chicago); Fiordiligi, Così fan tute (Santa Fe Opera, Metropolitan Opera); Iphigénie, Iphigénie en Tauride (Stuttgart State Opera); Kát’a Kabanová, Kát’a Kabanová (Royal Opera Covent Garden); Composer, Ariadne auf Naxos (Santa Fe Opera)
Upcoming: Kát’a Kabanová, Kát’a Kabanová (Concertgebouw); Donna Elvira, Don Giovanni (Dutch National Opera); Gutrune / 3rd Norn, Götterdämerung (Teatro Real de Madrid; Oper Köln)
Rehanna Thelwell, mezzo-soprano
Madison Opera Debut
Recently: Third Lady, The Magic Flute; Conchetta, Night Trip; Angela Rose, The Listeners (Washington National Opera); Aunt Lou, Highway 1 U.S.A.; Ruby, Fire Shut Up in My Bones; Giovanna, Rigoletto (Opera Theatre of St. Louis); Carlotta Vance, Dinner at Eight (University of Michigan Opera Theatre)
Upcoming: Jocasta, Oedipux Rex (Opera Philadelphia); Carmen, Carmen (Young Artist performance, Washington National Opera)
Andrew Stenson, tenor
Madison Opera Stage Debut
Recently: Don Ottavio, Don Giovanni; Nemorino, The Elixir of Love (Seattle Opera); Count Almaviva, The Barber of Seville (Opera Colorado); Nikolaus Sprink, Silent Night; Tamino, The Magic Flute (Utah Opera); Fadinard, The Italian Straw Hat (Minnesota Opera); The Steersman, The Flying Dutchman (Dallas Opera); Danny Chen, An American Soldier (Opera Theatre of St. Louis)
Upcoming: Bill, Flight (Dallas Opera); Pang, Turandot (Houston Grand Opera)
Kyle Ketelsen, bass-baritone
Madison Opera Debut: Colline, La Bohème, 2000
Recently with MO: Digital 20/21 Season
Recently: Adahm, Die Ersten Menschen (Dutch National Opera); Kaspar, Der Freischütz (Bavarian State Opera); Golaud, Pelléas et Mélisande (Metropolitan Opera); Leporello, Don Giovanni (Washington National Opera, Hamburg State Opera); Selim, Il Turco in Italia, Rodolfo, La Sonnambula (Zürich Opera); Escamillo, Carmen (San Francisco Opera); King of Scotland, Ariodante (Lyric Opera of Chicago)
Upcoming: Don Giovanni, Don Giovanni (Vienna State Opera); Dulcamara, The Elixir of Love (Lyric Opera of Chicago); Golaud, Pelléas et Mélisande (Teatro de la Maestranza); Escamillo, Carmen (RTVE Symphony Orchestra)
Stephanie Rhodes Russell, conductor
Madison Opera Debut
Recently: Eugene Onegin Scenes (Wolf Trap Opera); Conducting Fellow, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra; Opera at NorthPark (Dallas Opera); The Turn of the Screw (Temple University); Associate Conductor, Grand Teton Music Festival; Alcina (University of Michigan); Taking Up Serpents, Washington National Opera; Assistant Conductor: Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, Houston Grand Opera, LA Opera, San Francisco Opera, Washington National Opera
Upcoming: El Cimarrón (Opera Philadelphia); La Traviata (Opera Orlando)
Suzanne Beia, violin
Xavier Pleindoux, violin
Christopher Dozoryst, viola
Karl Lavine, cello
David Scholl, bass
Stephanie Jutt, flute
Marc Fink, oboe
JJ Koh, clarinet
Cynthia Cameron, bassoon
Linda Kimball, French horn
Ricardo Almeida, French horn
Nick Bonaccio, percussion
Johanna Weinholts, harp
Scott Gendel, keyboard
Anthony Cao, keyboard
The History of Opera in the Park
Digital Opera in the Park 2020
Saturday, July 25, 2020 – 8pm
Available Online
Andres Acosta- tenor
Jasmine Habersham – soprano
Weston Hurt – baritone
Karen Slack – soprano
Suzanne Beia – violin
John DeMain – piano
Scott Gendel – piano
Madison Opera Chorus
Anthony Cao – piano, chorusmaster
Guest Pianists: Rolando Salazar, Bethany Self, Laura Ward, Marika Yasuda
Opera in the Park 2019
Sunday, July 21, 2019 – 8pm
Garner Park
Conducted by John DeMain
David Blalock- tenor
Ben Edquist – baritone
Jeni Houser – soprano
Michele Johnson – soprano
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 2021 Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSOR
SPONSORS
Kay & Martin Barrett
MILLIE & MARSHALL OSBORN
LAU & BEA CHRISTENSEN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
CYRENA & LEE PONDROM
MEDIA SPONSORS
