Tosca by Giacomo Puccini - Sunday, October 28, 2007, 2pm - The Palace Theatre, Manchester, NH - Giacomo Puccini's grand opera has it all - love, lust, murder, suicide, politics, betrayal and glorious music! Opera New Hampshire presents the Teatro Lirico D'Europa production. Click here to view or download (depending on how your browser is set up) a full-size PDF version of our Tosca Brochure.

The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar - Friday, October 27, 2006, 8pm - The Palace Theatre, Manchester, NH - A National Lyric Opera Company Production from the Dicapo Opera Theatre in New York City, Michael Capasso, General Manager. An intoxicating whirl of elegant ladies, eligible bachelors, can-can dancers, and ever-flowing champagne, Franz Lehar's "The Merry Widow" has long delighted audiences with its effervescent tale of suitors seeking the coveted hand of wealthy widow Anna Glawari in fin-de-siecle Paris. The original production of "The Merry Widow" ("Die Lustige Witwe") premiered at the Theater an der Wien on December 30, 1905 with music by Franz Lehar and libretto by Victor Leon and Leo Stein, from the comedy "L'attache d'ambassade" by Henri Meilhac.

Susannah by Carlisle Floyd - Friday, May 5, 2006, 8pm - The Palace Theatre, Manchester, NH - Carlisle Floyd's distinctly American opera Susannah, based loosely on the biblical account of "Susannah and the Elders," is about innocence, intolerance and religious hypocrisy as a beautiful poor young woman is ostracized in the rural South for lack of modesty. Told with tuneful arias and rousing choruses, the opera centers on a traveling fire-and-brimstone revivalist who wants more than to save Susannah's soul and pays the price for his lust.

A Grand Night for Singing - Saturday, March 11, 2006, 7pm - Stockbridge Theatre, Pinkerton Academy, Derry, NH - The sweeping vision and impeccable taste of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein are the building blocks of this electrifying revue conceived by Tony Award winning director, Walter Bobbie. Laughter, tears, and equal amounts of heart, soul, and panache lift you out of your seat and into the stratosphere of American musical history. Whether you kick up your heels to "Shall We Dance?" or take a ride in the "Surrey with the Fringe On Top", we promise you "Some Enchanted Evening" and "Something Wonderful" as we journey through the music and lyrics of one of the most celebrated teams in musical theatre history. Won't you join us for a fun-filled evening?

La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini - Friday, November 4, 2005, 8pm - Giacomo Puccini's La Boheme is a bittersweet story of tender and tempestuous love, youth, poverty and heartbreak. Set to Giacomo Puccini's unforgettable soaring melodies, the opera rests on love found, lost and regained at a terrible price between the poet Rodolfo and the seamstress Mimi as a group of young idealistic artists struggle to survive a winter, sickness and abandonment. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi - Friday, May 6, 2005, 8pm - Giuseppe Verdi's timeless and magnificent music sweeps across 19th century Paris salons and countryside in La Traviata, one of opera's most enduring, dramatic and melodic works. Verdi adapted Alexander Dumas' tragedy of the beautiful courtesan's socially unacceptable love for a reckless country squire. Alfredo, Violetta's lover, has his eyes opened to her profound and selfless love, but too late - at her deathbed. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Tosca by Giacomo Puccini - Friday, October 29, 2004, 8pm - Tosca is Giacomo Puccini's opera of lust, love, murder, revenge, political intrigue and suicide told in soaring melodies. Scarpia, Rome's lecherous chief of police, lusts for the prima donna Floria Tosca. To save her lover from torture and death, she agrees to submit but kills Scarpia as he is about to claim his prize. But Scarpia extracts his revenge: her lover, Cavaradossi, dies by firing squad and Tosca leaps to her death. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini - Friday, May 7, 2004, 8pm - "Madame Butterfly" is the love story of the Japanese geisha who loved her American sailor too well. Lieutenant Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton marries the fragile bride for dalliance, only to leave Japan and return with his American wife to claim his love-child. Giacomo Puccini paints the tragedy in his magnificent melodies and bittersweet arias that inescapably sweep the ingenuous Cio-Cio-San to suicide. In Italian with English supertitles. National Lyric Opera production.

Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert & Sullivan - Friday, April 2, 2004, 8pm - "Pirates of Penzance" is a rollicking comic opera with the customary and familiar suspects of a Gilbert and Sullivan evening - pusillanimous pirates and policemen, politicians gone wrong, plus the loveliest of lads and lasses and a modern major-general. The shenanigans of the Pirate King, Frederic, whose unusual birthday gets him in trouble; and Ruth, his hard-of-hearing nursemaid, make for a tale woven with infectious melodies that guarantee the inescapable happy ending. In English. Peter Ramsey and Bob Shea production.

Faust by Charles Gounod - Friday, October 31, 2003, 8pm - "Faust" is Charles Gounod's opera on the classic tale of the unholy pact whereby the title character sells his soul for eternal youth and unleashes suffering for those around him, especially his innocent Marguerite. Full of familiar arias, longing love songs, rousing drinking tunes and soldiers' choruses. Faust is the story of betrayal, infanticide, madness and redemption of those whose souls are worthy. In French with English supertitles. National Lyric Opera production.

Werther by Jules Massenet - Friday, May 9, 2003, 8pm - "Werther" is an intimate French opera based on Goethe's "The Sorrows of Young Werther." Jules Massenet's work is a somber and romantic tragedy of a brooding poet entangled in a middle-class love triangle and how his unattainable quest for his Charlotte ends in suicide and death in her arms. Sung in French with English supertitles.

I Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo - Saturday, March 22, 2003, 8pm - "I Pagliacci" is among the first of Italian "verismo" operas spawned at the turn of the 20th century that explored common-life dramas. Ruggero Leoncavallo's opera is a provocative tale of lust and betrayal among a gritty band of traveling vaudevillians in which murderous death concludes the tragedy. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. The performance will be followed by concert arias.

L'Elisir d'Amore by Gaetano Donizetti - Friday, October 25, 2002 - Gaetano Donizetti's "L'Elisir d'Amore" revolves around the "elixir of love," bourbon passed off as a love potion in an updated version of the opera. The tonic gives a shy bumpkin the courage to court and win the girl of his dreams, but not before the evening is filled with chicanery, buffoonery and belly laughs. Sung in English and Italian with English supertitles.

Tales of Hoffman by Jacques Offenbach - Friday, May 3, 2002 - A romantic masterpiece, Tales of Hoffman, is a young poet's supernatural story of his adventures with women and the evil forces that keep him from attaining love. Although love is always out of reach, Hoffman transforms his failure and pain into poetic inspiration and dedication to his art. Sung in French with English surtitles.

The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar - Saturday, April 6, 2002 - The Merry Widow turns on waltz melodies and its main character, a beautiful and wealthy widow who dazzles every bachelor in Paris, except the one she wants. it is a disarmingly naughty story with sparkling tunes, romantic intrigues, complicated misunderstandings and the happiest of endings. Sung in English.

Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss - Friday, October 26, 2001 - Die Fledermaus is Waltz King Johann Strauss' urbane bon-bon that revolves around a practical joke involving a bat, the German title of the Viennese operetta of familiar melodies that applaud laughter and champagne. The tuneful tale borrows from French farce as it untangles flirtatious misunderstandings in good spirit and fellowship. Sung in English

Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi - Friday, May 11, 2001 - Rigoletto, Giuseppe Verdi's tragic classic is the story of the cursed court jester whose obsession to revenge his violated daughter's honor turns viciously against him. Its familiar music includes the arias "Caro nome" and "La donna e mobile." Incensed by the rapacious Duke of Mantua's seduction of his beloved daughter Gilda, Rigoletto plots the duke's assassination. But Gilda, hopelessly in love, sacrifices herself to save the duke. The curtain falls as Rigoletto in a horrifying mistake causes Gilda's death and in despair embraces his dying daughter. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

AIDA (in concert) by Giuseppe Verdi - Saturday, March 31, 2001 - Aida, the grandest of Giuseppe Verdi's grand operas, set in ancient Egypt, tells of the clash of patriotism, passion of lovers, duty to country, parent and king. Aida, the beautiful Ethiopian slave loves her enemy, the Egyptian warrior Radames. But princess Amneris, Aida's owner, also loves Radames. In battling the Ethiopians, Radames captures Amonasro, Aida's father. Amonasro inveigles Aida to extract military secrets from Radames, who is sentenced to be buried alive. Aida joins Radames in the tomb as Amneris asks the gods to have mercy on the warrior. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Il Trovatore by Giuseppe Verdi - Friday, October 27, 2000 - Il Trovatore is a tale of chivalry, love and revenge -- two brothers, separated at birth and ignorant of each others' existence, trapped in a love triangle on opposing sides of a civil war in medieval Spain. The troubador Manrico, kidnapped and raised by the gypsy Azucena, whose mother was burned at the stake, fights Count di Luna for the affections of the beautiful Leonora. Giuseppe Verdi's "Anvil Chorus," melodies, and arias such as "Stride la vampa" lead inexorably to the brothers' and Leonora's deaths as the gypsy avenges her mother's execution. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti - Friday, May 12, 2000 - Lucia di Lammermoor is Gaetano Donizetti's greatest tragedy, and considered by many as his finest work. Set in a castle on a misty moor in Scotland in the 1700s, the opera is based on a popular novel by Sir Walter Scott. Though their families have been feuding for years, Lucia Ashton is in love with Edgardo of Ravenswood. Lucia refuses to accept an arranged marriage that her brother, Enrico, orchestrated to strengthen the Ashton house. After being deceived by Enrico, Lucia reluctantly agrees to the marriage, but is unable to handle the situation and loses her mind in a scene featuring one of opera's most exquisite soprano solos. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Saturday, April 1, 2000 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) is a comic opera set to a fast-moving plot that revolves around class struggles. Based on a famous comedy by Beaumarchais, the opera was censored when it first opened in Vienna in 1786. Countess Rosina is married to Count Almaviva; Figaro is the Count's servant, who is engaged to Suzanna, the Countess' servant. The Count, however, has designs on Suzanna, and Figaro is determined to protect his fiancee. Filled with familiar melodies and superb ensemble pieces, The Marriage of Figaro is a romantic rendezvous sung in English.

La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini - October 29, 1999 - Giacomo Puccini's 1896 opera, La Boheme, is a tender love story with soaring melodies and genuine pathos. The dramatic opera tells the story of four poor students who share a cheerless attic studio in the Latin Quarter of Paris during the 1800s. One of the students, Rudolfo, falls madly in love with his neighbor, Mimi. But their love is doomed by Mimi's poor health, exacerbated by the cold, long winter. La Boheme is rich with lyrical, sensuous melodies and real-life characters - a moving experience from the stunning first act to the chilling conclusion. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi - Friday, May 14, 1999 - Violetta, the misguided girl, is a delightful young lady of somewhat dubious reputation. During a late evening party, she meets the attractive, but naive, Alfredo. His father disapproves of their affair and demands la traviata give up Alfredo. Giuseppe Verdi colors his very popular opera with flirtations, romance, immorality, conflict, disappointment, duels, and death. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

The Barber of Seville by by Gioacchino Rossini - Saturday, April 10, 1999 - Gioacchino Rossini's popular opera demonstrates the older generation's inability to deal with youthful attractions. Figaro, the barber, helps the young lovers, Lindoro and Rosina, outsmart the interfering fuddyduddies. Performed in English.

Tosca by Giacomo Puccini - Friday, October 23, 1998 - Giacomo Puccini's opera plays with your emotions by including lust, love, murder, revenge, politics and suicide. The beautiful Floria Tosca is pursued by Scarpia, Rome's chief of police. Floria agrees to submit to Scarpia's lust for her in order to save her lover, Cavaradossi, from torture and death. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Romeo et Juliette by Charles Francois Gounod - Friday, May 8, 1998 - Romeo et Juliet is Shakespeare's familiar tragedy of the young lovers cast in French Romantic music by Charles Gounod. The lovers cannot overcome the adult universe and the mindless venal feuding of their families. Though they cannot be united in life, their love is sealed with a final embrace in everlasting death. Sung in French with English surtitles.

Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert & Sullivan - Saturday, April 4, 1998 - Pirates of Penzance is a rollicking comic opera with the customary and familiar suspects of a Gilbert and Sullivan evening, pusillanimous pirates, policemen and politicians gone wrong, plus the loveliest of lads and lasses and a modern major-general in a tale woven with infectious melodies that guarantee the inescapable happy ending.

Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini - Friday, October 24, 1997 - Madama Butterfly is the story of the Japanese geisha and the American sailor with a girl in every port. Despite warnings not to toy with the geisha's adoring heart, Lieutenant Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton marries Cio-Cio San for dalliance, while she weds him for love. Giacomo Puccini's music sweeps the opera to its inevitable tragic conclusion. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

La Cenerentola by Gioachino Rossini - May 9, 1997 - La Cenerentola, the original Cinderella fairy tale without the magic pumpkin coach, nevertheless has a handsome prince, silly stepsisters, a fatuous stepfather, a gala ball and happy ending. The enchantment of Gioachino Rossini's opera lies in the music and plot in which the prince disguises himself to find a girl who will love him rather than his riches. (Sung in English.)

H.M.S. Pinafore by Gilbert & Sullivan - April 5, 1997 - Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore is peopled by sailors, lasses and the pompous ruler of the Queen's Navy, all of whom know their places in the social order. The charmingly contrived plot, however, defeats the obstacles that would keep a lowly sailor apart from his captain's daughter with infectious songs and melodies.

Carmen by Georges Bizet - October 18, 1996 - Carmen is the tragic opera of a saucy seductress and soldier destroyed by love, lust and obsession. Georges Bizet's familiar melodies depict Seville, its rollicking taverns inhabited by bandits, its dashing matadors and Carmen's and Don Jose's inevitable destruction in a whirlpool of passion and betrayal. (Sung in French with English surtitles.)

I Pagliacci & Cavalleria Rusticana by Ruggiero Leoncavallo and Pietro Mascagni - Friday, May 10, 1996 - Italian "verismo" operas, spawned at the turn of the century, explore common life dramas of the Sicilian countryside and traveling vaudevillians rather than the tribulations of royalty and deity. This traditional double bill of "I Pagliacci" by Ruggiero Leoncavallo, and "Cavalleria Rusticana" by Pietro Mascagni showcases the provocative aspects of opera in tales of lust and betrayal. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti - Saturday, March 30, 1996 - Gaetano Donizetti's finest example of bel canto singing is a mirthful tale of an eccentric, rich bachelor who desires a young wife also sought by his nephew. The tale of matrimonial mishaps turns on tricks played at Pasquale's expense. The early 19th century Roman lovers are united but not before Pasquale endures appropriate humiliations and lessons that he must act his age. Sung in English.

Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Friday, October 27, 1995 - Often cited as the perfect opera, "Don Giovanni" is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's masterpiece for the ages. The story of the infamous lover's conquests examines the human condition, love, lust, loyalty, power, betrayal and revenge with profound music, humor and drama. The story of sex and seduction underscores the foibles of men and women and the enigmatic nature of universal justice. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.