Following the murder of Alex Pretti, the Minnesota Opera has released a statement in solidarity with the community.

President and General Director, Ryan Taylor said, “As Minnesota Opera prepares for the world premiere of ‘My Name is Florence,’ we know we will be gathering in what is a moment of beauty and heartbreak in our community. We stand with our Twin Cities neighbors in grief, in hope, and in a shared belief that art can bring healing, empathy, and connection.”

The statement added, “While we know that gathering together to experience something beautiful like an opera can be a source of communal healing, we also know that moments of healing must be paired with tangible care. Inspired by the legacy of the acclaimed composer Florence Price, whose story highlights the importance of a community  rooted in love and care, members of our company have compiled a list of some of the organizations who are assisting in the Twin Cities who need extra support at this time.”

It concluded, “The solidarity and active presence of our Twin Cities community completes the cycle of our artmaking, reignites our passion for our home, and restores hope in our hearts. By showing up with and for each other, may we find light, strength, and the power of coming together.”

The statement comes after the company canceled its “Showtunes with Sarah” on Jan. 24 due to the protests.

On Jan. 24, 2026, Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, was shot multiple times and killed by United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota during a protest. The incident occurred following the killing of Renée Good on Jan. 7 by a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.