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North America

Opera entertainment in North America

  1. A

    Metropolitan Opera House

    New York’s premier opera company, the Metropolitan Opera is the place to see classics such as Carmen, Madame Butterfly and Macbeth, not to mention Wagner’s Ring Cycle. The Opera also hosts premieres and revivals of more contemporary works, such as Peter Sellars’ Nixon in China, which played here in 2011. The season runs from September to April.

    Ticket prices start at $30 and can get close to $500. Note that the box seats can be a bargain, but unless you’re in boxes right over the stage, the views are dreadful. Seeing the stage requires sitting with your head cocked over a handrail – a literal pain in the neck.

    For last-minute ticket-buyers there are other deals.…

    reviewed

  2. B

    Santa Fe Opera

    Many come to Santa Fe for this and this alone: the theater is an architectural marvel, with nearly 360-degree views of wind-carved sandstone wilderness crowned with sunsets and moonrises, and at center stage the world's finest talent performs Western civilization's masterworks. It's still the Wild West, though; you can even wear jeans – just try that in New York City.

    Gala festivities begin two hours before the curtain rises, when the ritual tailgate party is rendered glamorous in true Santa Fe style right in the parking lot. Bring your own caviar and brie, make reservations for the buffet dinner and lecture or a picnic dinner, or have your own private caterer – several…

    reviewed

  3. C

    Opera Boston

    Playing out of the gilded Cutler Majestic Theater, this acclaimed opera company has been impressing Boston for almost three decades. Expect innovative set design and intelligently selected shows that bring to life the rarely heard works of masters, plus an experimental repertoire of more recent vintage.

    reviewed

  4. D

    American Opera Projects

    Performing in venues around town, including the Lincoln Center’s Juilliard School, this Brooklyn-based company is dedicated to bringing affordable and free productions to the masses, usually premiering new works by up-and-coming librettists. Smaller performances and libretto readings are held on-site.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Bleecker Street Opera

    After the Amato Opera Theater closed, two spin-off companies formed – Bleecker Street Opera amd Amore Opera – promising quality operas for just a fraction of what you'd pay uptown.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Florida Grand Opera

    Founded in the 1940s, this highly respected opera company, which stages shows like Madame Butterfly, La Boheme, Tosca and many others, performs throughout the year at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and Fort Lauderdale. Ticket offices are in Doral, but it’s recommended you purchase online or on the phone.

    reviewed

  7. G

    L’opera de Montréal

    Holds lavish stage productions that feature big names from Québec and around the world. The specialty is classics such as Mefistofele, Aïda and Carmen; translations (French or English) are run on a video screen above the stage. Tickets cost around $50 to $125 during the week and slightly more on Saturday.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Shubert Theatre

    With 1600 seats, the Shubert is smaller and more intimate than some of the other Theater District venues, thus earning the moniker the ‘Little Princess’ of the Theater District. The Shubert is the place to see the Boston Lyric Opera and other musical theater.

    reviewed

  9. I

    Boston Lyric Opera

    Another longstanding company, the BLO stages classic performances. Their usual house is the Shubert Theatre. Look out for special productions for families and children.

    reviewed

  10. J

    California Theatre

    This landmark venue has undergone a thorough renovation and its absolutely stunning Spanish interior is cathedral worthy. It is home to Opera San Jose, Symphony Silicon Valley and an ongoing classic film series. This is one venue for the city's annual film festival, Cinequest, held in late February or early March.

    reviewed

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  12. K

    Doris Duke Theatre

    At the Honolulu Academy of Arts in the Sheridan Park area, this theatre is the place for film buffs to get their fix. It showcases a range of American independent cinema, foreign films and avant-garde shorts. Live performances at the venue include Chinese Opera and Japanese koto music.

    reviewed

  13. L

    Amore Opera

    This new company, formed by several members of the recently defunct Amato Opera, presents affordable ($35) works. Its inaugural season offerings included La Bohème, The Merry Widow, The Mikado and Hansel and Gretel, performed at its East Village theater.

    reviewed

  14. M

    BAM Howard Gilman Opera House

    In addition to its excellent film, dance, music and theater programming, the Brooklyn Academy of Music regularly presents a small program of operas, with music by the Brooklyn Philharmonic, as well as live HD simulcasts of the Metropolitan Opera. The New York City Opera regularly performs here.

    reviewed

  15. N

    TD Waterhouse Centre

    Hosts sporting events and concerts. It also holds two more major performing arts venues, the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre and the Civic Theater of Central Florida, both of which stage performances of opera, classical music and theater.

    reviewed

  16. O

    Sarasota Opera House

    This elegant, 1000-seat Mediterranean Revival venue was built in 1926, and the two-month winter opera season is a serious affair. Otherwise, there are only occasional performances.

    reviewed

  17. P

    Arizona Opera

    The state ensemble produces five operas per season, usually big-ticket favorites such as Mozart's Magic Flute and Verdi's La Traviata. Performances are at Symphony Hall.

    reviewed

  18. Q

    Key West Symphony Orchestra

    This critically acclaimed orchestra performs classics from Debussy, Beethoven and Mendelssohn from December through April.

    reviewed

  19. R

    Los Angeles Opera

    Helmed by Plácido Domingo, this renowned opera ensemble plays it pretty safe with crowd-pleasers.

    reviewed

  20. Opera New Hampshire

    Manchester stages a full season of contemporary and classic operas at the downtown Palace Theatre.

    reviewed

  21. Opera in the Park

    This noncostumed concert heralds the start of opera season, drawing close to 50,000. Arrive early.

    reviewed

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  23. S

    Civic Opera House

    The renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago high C's in this chandeliered venue. It's a few blocks west of the Loop.

    reviewed

  24. T

    Teatro de la Ciudad

    The City Theater stages everything from opera and folkloric dance to film seasons.

    reviewed

  25. U

    Opera Colorado

    Founded in 1983, Opera Colorado is based in the Denver Performing Arts Complex.

    reviewed

  26. V

    L’opera de Montréal

    Holds lavish stage productions that feature big names from Québec and around the world. The specialty is classics such as Mefistofele, Aïda and Carmen; translations (French or English) are run on a video screen above the stage. Tickets cost around $50 to $125 during the week and slightly more on Saturday.

    reviewed

  27. W

    Detroit Opera House

    Gorgeous interior, top-tier company and nurturer of many renowned African American performers.

    reviewed