The Glimmerglass Festival has announced that it will be moving forward with its 2021 season.

The upstate New York festival, which typically performs in its intimate, 915-seat theater, will take place outdoors on a new stage built on the Festival grounds.

In a press release Francesca Zambello, Festival Artistic & General Director said, “We have re-imagined the Glimmerglass experience for the 2021 season. While this move outdoors is primarily for the health and safety of our company members, audience members, and community, it is in harmony with what people love about Glimmerglass — innovative art and performances in a beautiful location. We are extremely grateful to Andrew Martin-Weber for making this outdoor stage possible, and we look forward to bringing amazing performances to you from the Andrew J. Martin-Weber Lawn Stage.”

On a stage designed by Peter J. Davison inspired by Cooperstown’s surroundings, the Festival will offer 90-minute re-imagined performances of opera and musical theater starring guest artists Raehann Bryce-Davis, William Burden, Amanda Castro, Denyce Graves, Ian Koziara, Gregory Kunde, Isabel Leonard, Latonia Moore, Eric Owens, Michael Mayes, and Alexandria Shiner. These artists will be joined by a 2021 roster of Young Artists, performers in the company’s apprentice program.

Additionally, Burden, Leonard, and Owens will also serve as the Festival’s 2021 Artists in Residence. In addition to their performances this summer, they serve as mentors to the 2021 Young Artists.

The festival will open with Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” starring Eric Owens and members of the young artist program. NJ Agwuna directs the production with Music Director Joseph Colaneri conducting.

Performances Dates: July 15-August 17, 2021

Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” will be co-directed by Francesca Zambello and Eric Sean Fogel, conducted by Joseph Colaneri. The 90-minute adaptation will star Latonia Moore and Gregory Kunde star as Leonora and Manrico alongside Raehann Bryce-Davis as Azucena and Michael Mayes as Count di Luna.

Performance Dates: August 1-14, 2021

The Glimmerglass Festival will presents “Songbird,” a new adaptation of Offenbach’s “La Périchole” created by Eric Sean Fogel, James Lowe, and Kelley Rourke. Isabel Leonard and William Burden star in the work conducted by James Lowe. The production will be co-directed by Francesca Zambello and Eric Sean Fogel.

Performance Dates: July 30-August 13, 2021

Gods and Mortals will celebrate the works of Richard Wagner with selections from The Ring Cycle, “Tannhäuser,” and “Die Feen.” The staged concert will star Eric Owens, Alexandria Shiner and Ian Koziara. Gods and Mortals will be conducted by Joseph Colaneri and directed by Francesca Zambello.

Performance Dates: August 3-16, 2021

“To the World” will showcase Isabel Leonard, William Burden, Alexandria Shiner, Michael Mayes and members of the Young Artists Program. Eric Sean Fogel directs and James Lowe conducts.

Performance Dates: July 16-August 8, 2021

“The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson” will make its world premiere and it is a new play with music, by Sandra Seaton, celebrating the founder of the historic and groundbreaking National Negro Opera Company. the work will star Denyce Graves in the title role and will include selections from the repertory of the National Negro para Company, as well as original music by Carlos Simon.

Performance Dates: August 5-13, 2021