This weekend features two important performances from one company, including a major world premiere and the revival of the first opera composed by a woman. Other major highlights include a concert with rising stars, a concert of a repertory gem, and a modern opera that deserves great attention.

Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble – La Liberazione di Ruggiero

This production of the legendary work by Francesca Caccini opened last weekend and gets a penultimate performance on Saturday night at Summers Shares at La Mama in New York City. It is the first opera written by a woman and is also the first Italian work of the art form to be performed outside of Italy. History will continue to be made by a cast that includes Merav Eldan, Stephanie Feigenbaum, Brian Alvarado, Christopher Fotis, Alessandra Altieri, Rebecca Richardson, Micaela Albridge, and Tyler Dobies.

Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble – Princess Maleine

The world premiere of the new opera by Bea Goodwin and Whitney George is set for Friday evening at Summers Shares at La Mama in New York City. The new opera will star Elyse Kakcek, Jeremy Brauner, Eric Lindsey, Liz Bouk, Nicholle Bittlingmeyer, Jeffrey Mandelbaum, Megan Vanacore, and Gabriel Hernandez, among others. Read more about the opera’s inception here.

Merola Grand Finale – Merola Opera Program

On Saturday, audiences will get a chance to see some of the major rising stars of the opera world in this yearly concert in San Francisco that is among the major events of the summer. The performance will be conducted by George Manahan with direction from Greg Eldridge, the 2019 Merola Apprentice Stage Director.

Opera Steamboat – Rusalka

For one night only, audiences in Steamboat Springs, Colorado will get a chance to see Dvorak’s masterpiece in concert. The main performance is set for Saturday evening, but a night before that, audiences can get a matinee concert performance with selections from the work. Either performance is an opportunity to become reacquainted with one of the great works of the standard repertory.

Union Avenue Opera – Glory Denied

Tom Cipullo’s increasingly popular work gets two performances this weekend on Friday and Saturday. The performance will be free for military Veterans while those that are actively in service will get a major discount. Moreover, the company, located in St. Louis, Missouri, is keeping a music therapy on hand for all performances due to the complex nature of the work’s content. The opera will be directed by Dean Anthony and conducted by Scott Schoonover. The performance