Cincinnati Opera has announced a reimagined 2021 summer festival which will include three productions, all presented without intermission in new 90-minute versions.

The festival will take place at Summit Park due to its ability to host large-scale stage productions that allow for safety protocols to be put in place for both performers and audience members.

“Music Hall will always be our home, but we are fortunate to have found a gorgeous new venue in Summit Park for our return to the live stage,” said Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera, in a press release. “Audience members can be assured that our Summer at Summit will have all of the hallmarks they’ve come to love about Cincinnati Opera—glorious singing, inspiring storytelling, and the chance to be swept away by the magic of live performance.”

The Festival kicks off with “Opera in the Park” concert. The outdoor showcase will feature selections from famed operas and musicals as performed by the stars of the 2021 summer festival, the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

Performance Date: July 11, 2021

The first opera production will be “Carmen” starring J’Nai Bridges, Stephen Costello, Janai Brugger, and Christian Pursell. Ramón Tebar conducts a production directed by Omer Ben Seadia.

Performance Dates: July 17-30, 2021

 Ana María Martinez, Russell Thomas, and Quinn Kelsey star in “Tosca,” as conducted by Xian Zhang and directed by Jose Maria Condemi.

Performance Dates: July 23-31, 2021

The season draws to a close with “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” starring Rihab Chaieb, Aaron Blake, Chris Kenney, Morris Robinson, and Reginald Smith Jr. Renato Balsadonna conducts the production directed by Joshua R. Horowitz.

Performance Dates: July 24-29, 2021