Cincinnati Opera has announced a fresh lineup of free community conversations featuring engaging speakers exploring topics related to the season’s operas: “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “The Knock,” “The Barber of Seville,” and “Madama Butterfly.”

Here is a look at the detailed lineup.

First up is “Opera Rap: 2023 Season Preview.” Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, offers an introduction to Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival, including an overview of the season’s featured operas: “The Knock,” “The Barber of Seville,” and “Madama Butterfly,” and a deeper dive into the opening production, “Lucia di Lammermoor.”

Event Date: March 28, 2023

Next up is “Opera Rap: The Barber of Seville.” Hilary Poriss, associate professor of music at Northeastern University and author of Gioachino Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” provides a glimpse into the creation and colorful history of this supremely silly all-time favorite.

Event Date: April 19, 2023

That will be followed by “Opera Rap: The Knock.” This summer, Cincinnati Opera presents the world stage premiere of “The Knock,” an intimate new opera that explores the dramatic stories of military families awaiting news of their spouses during conflict abroad. Evans Mirageas will be joined by local military experts to discuss the true stories that inspired the opera and explore the lives of American military families.

Event Date: May 24, 2023

Next up is “Opera Rap: Taking Flight.” Evans Mirageas will discuss the concept behind Cincinnati Opera’s inventive new production of “Madama Butterfly,” which will premiere in July 2023, and he’ll be joined by artists performing live musical excerpts from the opera.

Event Date: June 7, 2023

Next up is “Opera Rap: The Real Butterfly.” Evans Mirageas will be joined by Cynthia Amnéus, Chief Curator and Curator of Fashion Arts and Textiles for the Cincinnati Art Museum, to discuss the making and meaning of traditional Japanese garments.

Event Date: June 15, 2023

Ending the season is “DEIA Panel Discussion: Madame Butterfly.” Panelists will discuss Cincinnati Opera’s groundbreaking new production, which is being developed by an all-Japanese and Japanese American creative team, along with the value of telling Butterfly’s story in a brand-new way.

Event Date: July 18, 2023