The Michigan Opera Theatre has announced its 2018-19 season, which will feature five productions and a number of special events.

The season will also feature a number of international stars and innovative programming. Take a look!

Productions

Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” opens the season with Iurii Samoilov in the title role and Soprano Corinne Winters as Tatiana. MOT Principal Conductor Stephen Lord leads in the pit. Tomer Zvulun directs a co-production with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Atlanta Opera, Hawaii Opera Theatre, and Seattle Opera.

Performance Dates: Oct. 13-21, 2018

In November, Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” takes the stage with an all-star cast starring Lucas Meachem, Alek Shrader, and Daniela Mack. Anne Manson makes her debut in the pit, as does Christopher Mattaliano, who is directing.

Performance Dates: Nov. 10-18, 2018

Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide,” takes the stage as the company celebrates the composer’s centennial. The production will feature performers from the Michigan Opera Theatre Studio resident artist program and will be the fifth opera of MOT’s annual community initiative, bringing opera directly to Southeastern Michigan audiences through partnerships with community organizations. It will be performed at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Macomb, and The Berman Center for the Performing Arts, West Bloomfield.

Performance Dates: March 9-17, 2019

Emily Fons and Deanna Breiwick lead Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” with tenor Matthew DiBattista as the witch. Stephen Lord conducts the production directed by award-winning puppeteer Basil Twist.

Performance Dates: April 6-14, 2019

Ricky Ian Gordon’s “The Grapes of Wrath” concludes the season starring Katherine Goeldner, Tobias Greenhalgh, Deanna Breiwick, and Deborah Nansteel as Granma. Michael Christie conducts James Robinson’s production which was first seen at the  Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.

Performance Dates: May 11-19, 2019

Special Events 

Renée Fleming will join the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra, conducted by MOT Principal Conductor Stephen Lord in an evening of arias.

Performance Date: Sept. 29, 2018

The company will present a program entitled “Too Hot to Handel” to celebrate the holidays under the baton of Suzanne Mallare Acton. It will feature Handel’s “Messiah” with tenor Rodrick Dixon, soprano Alfreda Burke, alto Karen Marie Richardson, and pianist Alvin Waddles.

Performance Date: Dec. 1, 2018

The Canadian children’s classic comes to life in the opera “The Secret World of Og” by Dean Burry. Performed by the Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus, the opera tells the story of a group of siblings who journey into an underground world of mushrooms in search of their baby brother.

Performance Date: March 23, 2019