On Stage

Puccini’s unforgettable classic recounts a whirlwind romance between a reckless American naval officer and a trusting Japanese maiden. Bound by tradition and honor, she alone must face the tragic aftermath when left abandoned. Highlights include the radiant “Flower Duet,” Butterfly’s poignant arias, and a rapturous duet for soprano and tenor. New-to-Seattle sets and costumes are featured in the traditional staging.

A project by our Education & Community Engagement Department. Set during World War II, this opera explores the lives of two Puget Sound women: a Japanese American forced to leave her home and a German Jewish immigrant preoccupied by those she left behind.

Rossini’s vivacious romp starts with an iconic overture, gains speed with a parade of familiar melodies, and concludes with an “all is forgiven” finale bubbling over with joy. The prequel to Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro finds quick-witted Figaro helping Count Almaviva whisk fair Rosina away from her ghastly guardian through a series of schemes fit for a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

Love has many faces in Mozart’s astute exploration of sexual politics and self-discovery. Two buddies don disguises to test the faithfulness of their fiancées—and soon the game is on! Will the women fall for their new suitors? If they do, who is really to blame? A quirky comedy of (bad) manners, distinguished by the sweetest and most passionate music Mozart ever wrote.

A unique adaptation of Shakespeare’s lively comedy Much Ado About Nothing, Berlioz’s exuberant opera score is paired with English text lifted directly from the Bard himself. Overheard confessions, unfortunate reactions, tender reconciliations, and plenty of witty banter glide on a warm breeze of masterful orchestration. The result: an all-new one-of-a-kind theatrical hybrid that’s sure to have the whole town talking.

A profoundly personal love story told on a grand scale, the monumental masterpiece showcases Verdi’s power to translate universal human emotions into magnificent music. A high-stakes love triangle between a captured princess, a conflicted military commander, and the King’s formidable daughter unfolds in a variety of Egyptian locales amid glorious spectacle and rousing choruses—including the famous Triumphal March.