George Mason University's Center for the Arts

This bittersweet romantic tragedy is among the most popular works in the operatic literature. Set in the Latin Quarter in Paris at Christmastime, this melodic masterpiece tells the tale of starving young artists living lives of quiet desperation tempered by love, a lust for life—and of course—friendship and good humor. Poet Rodolfo and beautiful seamstress Mimi briefly find love together, but Mimi’s languishing health and their abject poverty threatens their happiness. This is a story of poignant love, heartbreaking tragedy, and the uplifting creative spirit, illuminated by Puccini’s dramatic score. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

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Donizetti’s rollicking romantic comedy follows Marie, a young woman who was adopted and raised by an regiment of the French army, and Tonio, a young man who saved Marie’s life and is now desperately in love with her. When the Marquise de Birkenfield discovers that the “daughter” is her long-lost niece, she whisks Marie away to her chateau and arranges her marriage to a nobleman. However, a hidden secret and a surprise appearance by the regiment at the wedding softens the Marquise’s heart and reunites the two young lovers. A rousing combination of romantic love, hilarious antics, and esprit de corps—not to mention intoxicating music highlighted by spectacular vocal writing. Sung in French with English supertitles.

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Mozart’s classic dramatic comedy about the world’s greatest lover of all time comes to life in this riveting production by the Virginia Opera. Inspired by the story of Don Juan, this captivating opera follows an arrogant nobleman and rake who seduces women carelessly and tosses them aside. This notorious scoundrel has a list of amorous conquests so long it takes his servant an aria just to name them all! Three of the Don’s former lovers pursue him attempting to get revenge, but in the end, the devious rogue gets his comeuppance when he refuses to repent from his evil ways. This captivating masterpiece is filled with deep human tragedy, uproarious comedy, powerful music, and the soaring voices of the Virginia Opera in this luscious production. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

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With an unforgettable score by George Gershwin and lyrics by his brother Ira, this beloved masterpiece is the quintessential American folk opera. An innovative mixture of classical music, jazz, blues, and popular music, Porgy and Bess tells the story of a crippled Black beggar and his headstrong lover struggling to survive in the slums of the fictional Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina. This incomparable work features Bess’ soulful “Summertime,” which is among the most recorded songs in all of popular music. Filled with heartfelt passion, poignant despair, and the astonishing voices of the Virginia Opera, this is a performance not to be missed.

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