Cincinnati Opera has announced its first-ever all-digital Winter Festival, which will feature free opera streams throughout February and March.

“While we’ve eagerly anticipated the opportunity to return to live performance, we knew we couldn’t wait until summer to share opera again with our community,” said Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, in a press release. “We reached out to some of our favorite artists and partners and invited them to collaborate. What emerged are three exceptional programs that highlight the many ways opera can surprise, delight, and inspire.”

It all kicks off with “Opera… from a Sistah’s Point of View,” which was created by and stars soprano Angela Brown. The show uses humor to dispel common opera myths. The showcase will feature such artists as mezzo-soprano Briana Hunter, tenor Jamez McCorkle, soprano Victoria Okafor, and baritone Reginald Smith, Jr., with Marie-France Lefebvre as the pianist and is presented in partnership with Opera Birmingham.

Streaming Date: Feb. 5- March 21, 2021

Next up is “After Aida,” a work written by Julian Mitchell and directed by D. Lynn Meyers. The play, which is presented in collaboration with the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, charts the life of Verdi after the success of “Aida” and in the years leading up to the creation of “Otello.” The work stars Bruce Cromer as Verdi.

Streaming Date: Feb. 19 – March 21, 2021

Finally, the company will stream “Wanderlust,” a special concert experience featuring music by Claude Debussy, Maurice Delage, Luciano Berio, and Maurice Ravel. The showcase will be headlined by soprano Talise Trevigne and conducted by William R. Langley. Pianist Louis Langrée will also perform.

Streaming Date: March 5 – March 21, 2021