OperaDelaware General Director Brendan Cooke has announced he will step down from his position at the conclusion of the company’s 2025–2026 season. Cooke began his tenure in 2012 and under his leadership the company experienced more than a decade of artistic innovation and organizational growth. Cooke expanded strategic regional collaborations, most notably with Opera Baltimore and in 2024 launched the {…}
OperaDelaware will present “OperaDEathmatch,” a first-of-its-kind fusion of opera and boxing, at OperaDelaware Studios on Friday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. The event, which is produced in collaboration with Delaware boxing champion and community leader Dave Tiberi, transforms OperaDelaware Studios into a boxing ring where vocal performers face off in an audience-driven competition, featuring OperaDelaware Company Artists Toni {…}
OperaDelaware has announced its 2025-26 season. The season will open with a production of “Tosca.” The Puccini Opera will be presented in partnership with Opera Baltimore and features Emily Margevich in the title role. She made her mainstage debut with the company in 2024, taking on the role of Musetta in “La Bohème.” Joining her is John Pickle as Cavaradossi and {…}
(Photo: OperaDelaware) OperaDelaware, founded in 1945 and the 11th oldest company in the US, was set to celebrate its 75th season in 2020, right as the COVID pandemic began. The artists were about to arrive in Wilmington to begin rehearsals. As the company—and the rest of the art world—realized how the pandemic would impact their work, administrators and board members {…}
OperaDelaware has unveiled its upcoming slate for Spring 2025. First up are several Studio Series recitals. The first is “Bring Him Home,” featuring tenor Dane Suarez in his debut recital with the company. The tenor will perform works by Verdi, Tosti, Rachmaninoff, Puccinni, Barber, and other contemporary composers. Performance Date: March 30, 2025 Then comes “Heart + Seoul,” a recital featuring {…}
Opera Baltimore and OperaDelaware will join forces to present Puccini’s “La Bohème.” The Puccini classic will take the stage at Stephens Hall Theatre, Towson University in Baltimore on Oct. 18 and 20, 2024 followed by two showcases on Oct. 25 and 27 at The Grand in Wilmington, Delaware. Taking on the role of Rodolfo will be Edward Graves. Daniel Rich {…}
OperaDelaware is set to kick off its 2024-25 season with a production of Puccini’s “La Bohème.” The showcase, which opens on Oct. 25 and 27, 2024 will feature Toni Marie Palmertree as Mimì and Edward Graves as Rodolfo. Emily Margevich will take on the role of Musetta, while Daniel Rich will interpret Marcello. Other cast members include Christian Simmons as Colline {…}
OperaDelaware is set to present “Turandot” on May 17 and 19, 2024. The famed Puccini opera will feature a new ending by composer Derrick Wang, who used Puccini’s original sketches as the basis for his version. “When OperaDelaware invited me to create a revised ending to Turandot — one that would newly connect the heart of Puccini’s original sketches to {…}
OperaDelaware has unveiled its 2023-24 season. First up is Verdi’s “Rigoletto” in a production starring Grant Youngblood, Rachel Blaustein, Dane Suarez, Young Bok Kim, Megan Marino, and Joseph Lodato, among others. Kristen Barrett directs and Viswa Subbaraman conducts the production. There will be a microgala prior the opening performance to give audiences a chance to meet the artists of the {…}
Opera America has announced the recipients of its 2022 Repertoire Development Grants. The recipients for the grant include American Lyric Theater, Beth Morrison Projects, Houston Grand Opera, MassOpera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Pensacola Opera, OperaDelaware, and Virginia Opera. In sum, the nine companies will receive $225,000 to develop eight new American operas. “Fostering the creation {…}
Baltimore Concert Opera (BCO) and OperaDelaware (OD) will join forces for a co-production of Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville.” In sum, there will be four performances with the first two on Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and 20 at 3 p.m. in Townson University’s Stephens Hall in Maryland. The final performances will take place on Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. {…}
