The Des Moines Metro Opera has announced its 2021 summer festival which will run between July 2 and 25.

The company announced that its new season was developed in conjunction with the Medical Advisory Panel and that all 225 company members completed a COVID-19 vaccination series prior to their arrival for the festival. Additionally, all audience members will be required to provide a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the performance or a record of vaccination. Finally, the company will partner with Simpson College and Waldinger Corporation to install supplemental air exchange systems that will provide increased ventilation air into the theater at more than three times industry minimum requirements.

The season will open with a production of “Sweeney Todd” headlined by Zachary Nelson and starring Lucy Schaufer, Ben Edquist, Grace Kahl, Wayne Tigges, Zoie Reams, Corey Bix, Peter Scott Drackley, and Christian Sanders. David Neely conducts a production directed by Kristine McIntyre.

Performance Dates: July 2-25, 2021 

Next up is a production of “The Queen of Spades” starring Jonathan Burton, Sara Gartland, Joyce Castle, Benjamin Taylor, Taylor Raven, Alexander Birch Elliott, and Symone Harcum. David Neely conducts a production by Matthew Ozawa.

Performance Dates: July 3 – 24, 2021

Next up is Rameau’s “Platée” which will star Taylor Stayton, Scott Conner, Elizabeth Sutphen, Alexander Elliott Birth, Jonas Hacker, Zoie Reams, Alex Rosen, Benjamin Taylor, Cadie Jordan, James Stevens, and Véronique Filloux. Gary Thor Wedow conducts a production directed by Chas Rader-Shieber.

Performance Dates: July 10 – 23, 2021

Joseph Lattanzi, Christian Sanders, Grace Kahl, Amanda Sheriff, Nathaniel Hill, Claire Lopatka, Benjamin Taylor, Craig Juricka, Kellen Schrimper, Brandon Bell, and Ryan Wolfe headline “Fellow Travelers” which will be directed by Marcus Shields and conducted by Carolyn Watson.

Performance Date: July 17, 2021

Finally, John Holiday will perform in recital entitled “The John Holiday Experience.” The showcase will feature music by such composers as Stevie Wonder, George Gershwin, and Thelonius Monk, among many others.

Performance Date: July 11, 2021