Opera Is Back in NOLA
The New Orleans Opera Association has announced their 2024-2025 opera season, which will include three main-stage performances. Back by popular demand, Tosca, Samson and Delilah in Concert, and Elixir of Love are returning to New Orleans for the 2024-2025 season. The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will be accompanying the performances. There will also be a one-night-only concert, Opera on the Bayou: Voices of New Orleans, that will focus on the culture and music of New Orleans.
Lila Palmer, who is now the new General and Artistic Director, will be starting in May 2024. She will be the second woman in 81 years to hold this position. It is an exciting season for women because the season will highlight the resilience and strength of women through the operas.
Opera Overviews
TOSCA
Tosca is an opera all about love and politics. Set in Rome, opera singer Floria Tosca gets caught in a political uproar and has to make many sacrifices. Melody Moore will play the lead role as Floria Tosca. Cavaradossi, Floria's love interest, will be played by Dominick Chenes. Reginald Smith Jr., who is a Grammy and Emmy winner, will be the villain in the story, Scarpia. Lastly, Ivan Griffin will be returning for his role as Sacristan. The performance's will take place on Friday, September 27 and Sunday, September 29, 2024 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater.
SAMSON AND DELILAH IN CONCERT
This opera is based on the Samson and Delilah story from the Book of Judges in the Old Testament. Its main themes are love, betrayal, and redemption. Samson falls in love with Delilah, and then problems occur from there. Limmie Pulliam will be playing the role of Samson. Accompanying Samson, Raehann Bryce-Davis will be playing Samson's lover, Delilah. Alfred Walker will be playing the role as the High Priest. These performance's will be on Friday, November 8 and Sunday, November 10, 2024 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater.
ELIXIR OF LOVE
Nemorino, a farmer, is on a journey to win over Adina, a beautiful and wealthy woman. Out of desperation, Nemorino tries out a magical elixir to attract his true love. Matthew Swensen will be playing the role of Nemorino. Lindsey Reynolds will be playing his lover, Adina. Performances will take place on Friday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5, 2025 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. This opera is over a year away, meaning you have plenty of time to read up on this opera to see what it's all about.
OPERA ON THE BAYOU: VOICES OF NEW ORLEANS
It's all about New Orleans with this NOLA-themed opera. Local singers and the Electric Yat Quartet will be performing. This special one-night-only opera will be hosted on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at Roussel Hall inside Loyola University New Orleans.
Tickets and More Information
Although many of these operas are a while from now, that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy your tickets as soon as you can. The early bird tickets are available from March 25 to April 24. Ticket subscriptions will be on sale April 25, 2024. Single tickets for each opera will be available for purchase on July 1, 2024. For more information on tickets and events, head to neworleansopera.org. If you want to learn more about the New Orleans Opera Association's previous operas, check out their 2021-2022 season or their 2023-2024 season.
