New York City Opera

New York City Opera “The People's Opera” since 1943 New York City Opera was famously dubbed “The People's Opera” by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia at its founding in 1943.

Now in 2016, more than 70 years later, City Opera renews its historic mission to inspire audiences with innovative and theatrically compelling opera, nurture the work of promising American artists, and build new audiences through affordable ticket prices and extensive outreach and education programs.

What an unforgettable night in Bangkok! 🇹🇭✨New York City Opera had the great honor of opening the 28th Bangkok Internati...
09/07/2026

What an unforgettable night in Bangkok! 🇹🇭✨

New York City Opera had the great honor of opening the 28th Bangkok International Festival of Dance & Music with Opera Goes to Hollywood, led and conducted by our incredible Maestro Constantine Orbelian - and what a spectacular evening it was!

We were especially honored by the presence of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand, who joined us for this very special performance.

A heartfelt thank you to the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, our extraordinary artists:
Franco Pomponi
Marnie Breckenridge
Kristina Reiko Cooper
Asi Matathias
Tatev Baroyan
Berj Karazian
Dario Di Vietri (official)
Kato Buachidze
and the entire Festival team for welcoming us so warmly and making this night possible.

We are incredibly proud and grateful to have shared the music, the stage, and this unforgettable moment with Bangkok. ❤️🎶

A night we will remember for a very long time.

Spotlight of the Week: Marnie Breckenridge Internationally acclaimed American soprano Marnie Breckenridge is celebrated ...
08/29/2026

Spotlight of the Week: Marnie Breckenridge

Internationally acclaimed American soprano Marnie Breckenridge is celebrated for her remarkable vocal versatility, expressive artistry, and powerful character portrayals, with a repertoire spanning bel canto to contemporary opera.

Here are 5 fun facts about this extraordinary performer:

1. Marnie has originated roles in eight world-premiere operas, collaborating with leading contemporary composers.

2. She received the DORA Award for Outstanding Performance by an Individual in an Opera for her portrayal of Jacqueline in Jacqueline.

3. Her repertoire includes Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor), Cunegonde (Candide), Sierva Maria (Love and Other Demons), and Margarita Xirgu (Ainadamar).

4. She joins New York City Opera’s “Opera Goes to Hollywood” for the opening program of the 28th Bangkok International Festival of Dance & Music in Thailand, alongside the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Constantine Orbelian.

5. Her extensive recording career includes works by contemporary composers, as well as Dmitri Hvorostovsky’s Heroes & Villains and her own holiday album, Happy Golden Days.

We’re thrilled to welcome Marnie to the NYCO family and can’t wait to see her take the stage in Bangkok!

New York City Opera is thrilled to bring our signature program, OPERA GOES TO HOLLYWOOD, to the Bangkok International Fe...
08/24/2026

New York City Opera is thrilled to bring our signature program, OPERA GOES TO HOLLYWOOD, to the Bangkok International Festival of Dance & Music on September 5, 2026.

Maestro Constantine Orbelian - Executive Director and Principal Conductor of New York City Opera, will lead the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra in an unforgettable evening where the worlds of opera and cinema come together - featuring some of opera’s most beloved arias alongside iconic music of the silver screen.

Joining us in Bangkok is an extraordinary international company of artists:

Marnie Breckenridge - soprano
Tatev Baroyan - soprano
Franco Pomponi - baritone
Ekaterine Buachidze - mezzo-soprano
Kristina Reiko Cooper - cello
Berj Karazian - tenor
Asi Matathias - violin
Dario Di Vietri - tenor

From New York to Bangkok - opera is going to Hollywood. 🎭🎬✨

Spotlight of the Week: Franco Pomponi Critically acclaimed for the rich, expressive beauty and “powerful virility” of hi...
08/17/2026

Spotlight of the Week: Franco Pomponi

Critically acclaimed for the rich, expressive beauty and “powerful virility” of his voice, Franco Pomponi is one of the most versatile and compelling baritones of his generation. With commanding stage presence and a remarkable range of repertoire, he has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. We are proud to spotlight this extraordinary artist!

Here are 5 fun facts about this remarkable performer:

1. Franco made his European breakthrough as the title character in Ambroise Thomas’s Hamlet at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, a role that has since become one of his signature performances.
2. He has graced iconic stages around the world, including the New York City Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Bolshoi Theatre, Teatro Real, and Théâtre du Châtelet.
3. His repertoire spans an extraordinary range of roles, from Don Giovanni, Escamillo, and Marcello to Germont, Count di Luna, Michele, and Gianni Schicchi.
4. Franco made his distinguished Carnegie Hall debut performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with The Philadelphia Orchestra, and has collaborated with leading orchestras around the world.
5. His acclaimed performances extend far beyond the Italian repertoire. He has also taken on major French and contemporary roles, including the Four Villains in Offenbach’s Les contes d’Hoffmann, Pentheus in Henze’s The Bassarids, and the title role in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd.

Celebrating Franco Pomponi’s extraordinary artistry, versatility, and commanding presence on the world’s opera and concert stages!

NYCOOpera

Greatest Composers | Giacomo PucciniGiacomo Puccini (1858–1924) was one of the most influential opera composers of the l...
08/14/2026

Greatest Composers | Giacomo Puccini

Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924) was one of the most influential opera composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for music of extraordinary beauty and emotional power.

He composed some of opera’s most beloved works, including La Bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot, bringing intense human emotion, love, loss, and longing to the stage.

Born in Lucca, Italy, Puccini originally trained for church music before turning to opera after being inspired by Verdi’s Aida. His gift for unforgettable melodies and vivid characters made his works favorites worldwide.

Puccini’s music continues to define Italian opera and move audiences with its immediacy and depth.

Greatest Opera Singers | Leontyne PriceLeontyne Price (born February 10, 1927) is celebrated as one of the greatest sopr...
08/11/2026

Greatest Opera Singers | Leontyne Price

Leontyne Price (born February 10, 1927) is celebrated as one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century, renowned for her radiant voice, commanding stage presence, and richly expressive artistry. Her performances set a new standard for dramatic and vocal excellence, making her one of opera’s most beloved and influential stars.

Best known for her interpretations of Verdi heroines such as Aida, Il Trovatore, and La Forza del Destino, Price captivated audiences with her soaring lyricism, warm vocal color, and remarkable emotional depth. Her artistry helped define an era of opera and inspired generations of singers around the world.

Fun fact: In 1961, Price made history with her debut at the Metropolitan Opera as Leonora in Il Trovatore, launching one of the most celebrated careers in the company’s history. She later became one of the first African American opera singers to achieve international superstardom.

Price’s legacy continues to shine through her timeless recordings and unforgettable performances, reminding audiences that great opera is defined by both extraordinary technique and profound human expression.

08/07/2026

TOMORROW. AUGUST 7, AT 7PM. BRYANT PARK.
Come join us! Free admission.

Most Famous Operas: The Magic FluteComposed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte) is a two-act G...
08/02/2026

Most Famous Operas: The Magic Flute

Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte) is a two-act German opera that premiered in 1791. Blending fantasy, comedy, romance, and unforgettable music, it remains one of the world’s most beloved operas.

The story follows the young prince Tamino and the cheerful bird-catcher Papageno as they set out to rescue Pamina. Guided by magic instruments and tested through trials of courage and wisdom, they discover that love and truth are not always what they first appear to be.

Premiering on September 30, 1791, at Vienna’s Theater auf der Wieden, The Magic Flute was an immediate success. Its score includes the dazzling Queen of the Night Aria, “Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön,” and the charming duet “Pa-Pa-Pa,” helping secure its place among the most frequently performed operas in the world.

Performances Featured:
Slide 2: The Royal Opera House
Slide 3: The Metropolitan Opera
Slide 4: Washington National Opera
Slide 5: L.A. Opera

Whimsical, inspiring, and timeless, The Magic Flute continues to enchant audiences of all ages.

Just one week away! Join New York City Opera for Celebration of Ella Fitzgerald on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 7:00 PM in...
07/31/2026

Just one week away!

Join New York City Opera for Celebration of Ella Fitzgerald on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Bryant Park. This special performance is free and open to the public.

Known as the “First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald transformed the world of music with her extraordinary voice, unmatched artistry, and timeless interpretations of the Great American Songbook. Across a career spanning more than six decades, she became one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time, inspiring generations with her impeccable phrasing, remarkable range, and enduring elegance.

New York City Opera is proud to honor her extraordinary legacy with an unforgettable evening of music featuring Latonia Moore, Guy Mintus and his trio, Kristina Reiko Cooper, Norman Garrett, Robin Phillips, and special guest Ray Brown Jr., Ella’s son.

Come celebrate the voice that defined a generation and continues to inspire us all.

Unlocking Opera — ColoraturaWhat does “coloratura” mean?Coloratura refers to highly ornamented singing that showcases a ...
07/29/2026

Unlocking Opera — Coloratura

What does “coloratura” mean?

Coloratura refers to highly ornamented singing that showcases a singer’s agility, precision, and control. It features rapid runs, trills, leaps, and dazzling high notes that add brilliance and excitement to they music.

While coloratura is most often associated with sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, tenors, and even basses can also perform coloratura repertoire.

Coloratura Voice Types:

Coloratura Soprano – Bright, agile, and capable of dazzling high notes and virtuosic passages.

Coloratura Mezzo-Soprano – Combines vocal warmth with exceptional flexibility, often portraying spirited or commanding characters.

Coloratura Tenor – Light and nimble, excelling in the ornate vocal writing of bel canto opera.

Some of the greatest coloratura singers:

* Beverly Sills
* Edita Gruberová
* Natalie Dessay
* Diana Damrau
* Kathleen Battle

OperaEducation

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Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm

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