One of the most exciting companies around opens its doors on its 2018 season while another major company celebrates one of the musical titans of the 20^th century. Those are just two of the five major picks this year.

La Traviata – Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

One of the biggest opera festivals in the US kicks off with the Verdi classic on Saturday, May 19, 2018. The production stars Sydney Mancasola as Violetta, Geoffrey Agpalo as Alfredo, and Joo Won Kang as Germont. What makes this production extraordinary will be the directing debut of superstar Patricia Racette.

Bernstein At 100 – Washington National Opera

The company will celebrate the legendary composer-conductor in a gala on May 20 that will feature a wide range of major artists including “Patti LuPone, Tituss Burgess, Nathan Gunn and wife Julie Gunn, Isabel Leonard, Kathryn Lewek, Bernstein’s eldest daughter Jamie Bernstein, members of WNO’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, conductor John DeMain leading the WNO Orchestra, and other special guests to be announced.”

Cruzar la Cara de La Luna – Houston Grand Opera

Houston Grand Opera continues to put on stellar shows, even after dealing with adverse conditions. This mariachi opera, which has had incredible success everywhere it has gone, is one that cannot be missed and will take place on Saturday and Sunday. The cast includes Octavio Moreno, Cecilia Duarte, and Efrain Solís, among others.

Turandot – Dayton Opera

The company showcases performances on Friday and Saturday of one of the epic masterworks of all of opera. The performances will showcase Jonathan Burton, Kara Shay Thomson, and Chloé Olivia Moore in the lead roles of the Puccini classic.

Center for Contemporary Opera – New York Opera Fest

The Center for Contemporary Opera will showcase a few premieres including “Sorrows of Fredrick” on May 18 and “To Be Sung” on May 17. Those interested in the future of opera and the new works in development will undeniably want to take a few peeks at what this company is doing.