You won’t find many repertory staples in this weekend’s top five choices, save for one exception. Otherwise, our recommendations feature two rare double bills and a plethora of new operas, including the first operas in Indigeneous languages of Cree and Sámi.

Everest / Aleko – Chicago Opera Theater

On Saturday and Sunday, the COT will present a unique double bill with music by Talbot and Rachmaninoff. The performances will feature over 100 choristers and a full orchestra onstage for the first time in the company’s history. The two operas will be directed by Dylan Evans and conducted by Lidiya Yankovskaya.

Don Giovanni – Florida Grand Opera

On Saturday, the Florida Grand Opera showcases the second performance of Mozart’s masterwork, which features a solid cast. Elizabeth Caballero and Elizabeth De Trejo (in her debut) take on the roles of Donna Elvira and Donna Anna with Elliot Madore in the title role. Nicholas Huff will perform the role of Don Ottavio, while Federico De Michelis will perform Leporello; both will make their company debuts. Finally, Asleif Willmer and Michael Miller will also make their debuts as Zerlina and Masetto, respectively. Kevin Langan will be Il Commendatore while Christopher Allen will conduct a production by Mo Zhou.

Brundibár – Sarasota Youth Opera

On Friday and Saturday, audiences will get a chance to hear Hans Krása’s opera, which was “performed at least 55 times by the children of Theresienstadt concentration camp during WWII.” Jesse Martins conducts a production directed by Martha Collins.

The Rising and the Falling – Seattle Opera

This chamber opera will open on Nov. 15, 2019 with a series of subsequent performances, including one on Sunday the 17^th. The 75-minute work tells the story of a comatose soldier after she suffers a roadside attack. The work was created from interviews with active-duty soldiers and veterans with an aim at telling their untold experiences. The opera features five singers and an 11-piece orchestra with music by Zach Redler and a libretto by Jerre Dye.

Two Odysseys – Pimooteewin / Gállábártnit – Soundstreams

Throughout the weekend, audiences will get a chance to see the world’s first operas in the indigeneous langauges of Cree and Sámi. The works have toured around the world and will undoubtedly provide unique experience for opera newbees and veterans.