Kentucky Opera
Kentucky Opera Announces 2026-2027 Season
Kentucky Opera recently announced their 2026/2027 season with a powerful blend of four mainstage classics and compelling new works that invite us to see our world through the lens of family, both given and found.
A Homecoming and a New Vision: Ben Robinson Takes the Helm at Kentucky Opera
When Ben Robinson stepped into the role of General Director and CEO of Kentucky Opera this fall, it felt less like a new hire and more like the closing of a very personal circle. “Kentucky is where I got my start,” he said during a recent interview.
Back in the 2008-09 season, Robinson was a studio artist at the Kentucky Opera — fresh out of school, singing five productions in five different languages. “It was like being shot out of a cannon,” he laughs, “but one thing was crystal clear: this is a town that really has a great investment in the arts.”
Listen to the full interview here:
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We would love to hear about your recent live entertainment experience — whether it was a Broadway in Louisville performance, a concert at the Palace, or a night under the stars at Kentucky Shakespeare, let us know what you thought!
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Kentucky Opera Names Ben Robinson as General Director and CEO
The Kentucky Opera recently named Ben Robinson as its General Manager and CEO. The acclaimed director and arts leader returns to his roots to lead Kentucky Opera’s next chapter. An accomplished singer, stage director, and arts executive, Robinson brings creative vision, operational expertise, and a deep commitment to opera as a community-building force.
Most recently, Robinson was General Director of Anchorage Opera and Managing Director of Lyric Fest in Philadelphia. In Anchorage, Robinson led a season that expanded community programming, forged new artistic partnerships, and closed with a six-figure operating surplus.
Audience Magazine -Your Connection to Louisville Arts & Entertainment! Sign-up for FREE Today!
In collaboration with the performing arts groups of Louisville, we are excited to bring you Audience Magazine, an all-digital publication that delivers a behind-the-scenes look into the performing arts and entertainment during this unprecedented time of reflection and artistic creation.
Audience Magazine highlights enlightening articles and information about the arts groups as well as spotlights on Louisville Landmarks and interviews with inspirational representatives from the arts community. And the best part about it all is …. it’s FREE!
Kentucky Opera Opens 2022-2023 Season with La bohème Sept. 23-Oct.2
Kentucky Opera is thrilled to stage five performances of La bohème at The Brown Theatre this Fall to open its 70th Anniversary Season 22/23. One of the most romantic stories of all time, Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème will be performed Friday, Sept. 23 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 2 at 2 p.m.
Single tickets for La bohème start at $45.25, with discounts for students and groups, and are available now for purchase by visiting kyopera.org or by calling (502) 584-4500. Discount season subscriptions are also available to purchase starting at $110 and include La bohème as well as 22/23 main stage performances of the tango opera María de Buenos Aires and Rossini’s Cinderella.
Performance Preview: Kentucky Opera: Orfeo – February 11 & 13
What would you do to have one more moment with someone that you love who unexpectedly passed away? This is a question that has been posed to mortals since time began. If you are like Orfeo, you are willing to go to the bowels of Hell to reclaim your beloved. Based on the Greek mythological tale of the lovers Orfeo and Eurydice, Gluck’s opera Orfeo delves into the bereaved lover’s mind and the lengths that they are willing to take.
In Kentucky Opera’s upcoming production, which has not been performed in over two decades, director Kelly Kitchens adds a touch of personal experience to her vision of the story. “Where does fantasy collide with reality?” Kitchens asks. “As humans we are often looking for that second chance, so I want to show the audience a different, but relevant take on the torment that Orfeo is facing with the loss of their Euridice.”
Kentucky Opera’s 21/22 Brown-Forman Season is now on sale!
Kentucky Opera is excited to announce their 2021-2022 live and in-person season that includes mainstage operas of Orfeo and An American Dream with add-on performances to include Holiday Celebration and Robin Hood: a youth opera. After an entire season away from the stage, KO is thrilled to invite you to subscribe to the full season and seeing their longtime supporters as well as new ones back to their home stage in the Brown Theatre to celebrate and gather with our community.
The season includes the following performances and season subscriptions can be found at KYOpera.org.
Louisville Music Icons Unveil Lift up Louisville Song – Check it out!
When it comes to creativity, Louisville certainly is at the top of its game. Once again, the creative minds of musicians around the city have collaborated to create an uplifting video that features lyrics and landmarks from around Louisville.
The song and musicians were organized by Louisville Orchestra Music Director Teddy Abrams. It features two dozen artists from different backgrounds from bluegrass to rock. Included in the long list of contributors are Jim James and Patrick Hallahan of My Morning Jacket, singer/songwriter Will Oldham, cellist/composer Ben Sollee, Scott Carney of Wax Fang, percussionist Dani Markham, hip hop star Jecorey Arthur, gospel singer Jason Clayborn, singer Carly Johnson and others from Louisville’s music scene.
Audience Interview: Kentucky Opera: Barbara Lynne Jamison, General Director
Kentucky Opera was founded in 1952 and designated the State Opera of Kentucky in 1982. The mission of Kentucky Opera is to enrich and engage our community through spectacular music, creative storytelling and the thrill of the human voice. The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, supports Kentucky Opera with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Audience publisher, Douglas Dreisbach, sat down with Kentucky Opera’s General Director, Barbara Lynne Jamison, to talk about how the organization is dealing with our current challenges. This interview also appears in the April edition of Audience Magazine.
Arts & Entertainment Coronavirus (COVID-19) Closures & Cancellations
We are all saddened about the need to cancel so many events due to situation with COVID-19. However, we also understand that we need to follow the proper protocol of government official to do whatever we can to reduce the further spread of the virus.
Each performance requires so much hard work and dedication from performers, directors, stage crew, volunteers, patrons and more to perform at the highest level. We are don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, but we do want to keep you informed on the status of the upcoming shows and performances around Louisville. Below is a list of news and information about closures and cancellations for upcoming Louisville events, shows and performances.
**This page will be updated regularly.
Kentucky Opera Announces New Season of Friendship & Community
Kentucky Opera is excited to announce their 2020-2021 season with three productions that celebrate the importance of friendship and community. The productions are La bohème September 11 & 13, Hansel & Gretel October 30 & November 1 and O+E February 12 & 14.
All of the performances will be at the Brown Theatre and will feature projected English captions, and audio descriptions will be available at the matinée performances.
KENTUCKY OPERA PRESENTS MOZART COMEDY THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO OVER VALENTINE’S DAY WEEKEND
Kentucky Opera is excited to present the popular Mozart Comedy The Marriage of Figaro February 14 and 16 at the historic Brown Theatre. Music featured by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte. Tickets are on sale now starting at just $20 and available at kyopera.org or by calling 502.584.7777
Pablo Picasso Exhibition Comes to KMAC
LOUISVILLE, KY – Tickets are now on sale for the upcoming exhibition Picasso: From Antibes to Louisville presented by UPS. The show will open at KMAC Museum in downtown Louisville on December 14, 2019.
Picasso: From Antibes to Louisville, running through March 22, 2020, will bring together approximately 50 ceramics and works on paper created by Pablo Picasso between 1931 and 1956. these works are part of the collection of the Musee Picasso in Antibes, France, and the exhibition is one that has never before been seen outside of Europe.
Tales from the Turf @ Speed Art Museum – Opening Reception
In what is being billed as “The first exhibition to examine Kentucky’s relationship to the horse through art”, the Speed Art Museum is excited to unveil their latest exhibit, Tales from the Turf. Featuring paintings, sculpture, photographs, drawings, prints, and manuscripts that all tell the story of the horse in the Bluegrass State, be sure to check it out when you can. It runs through March 1, 2020.
Louisville Hosts Three Rockin’ Festivals in September
In what is sure to be the most rocking month in the history of Louisville, Kentucky, music fans are in for at treat with three all-star music festivals covering just about every genre of music. Kicking it all off is Hometown Rising (September 14 & 15) featuring country music all-stars, then get ready for the rock legends at Bourbon & Beyond (September 20, 21, 22), and lastly Louder Than Life (September 27, 28, 29) will wrap it all up with the rockers of the world. Regardless of what your music preference is, you will surely find your niche with one of the three and Louisville is waiting for you with open arms.
All three festivals are conveniently located among the newly renovated Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Festival Grounds offering plenty of parking and proximity to hotels, restaurants and the airport.
YOUTH OPERA CAMP: A Musical & Theatrical Experience for Grades 2-5 – July 15-19
A perfect summer day camp for your young performer. During this week, each camper will have the opportunity to create, act, sing, and explore within a supportive environment with age appropriate skill building. Professional teaching artists will guide students to create musically theatrical narratives, build social skills, and promote personal growth. Family and friends will be invited to attend the end-of-week camp showcase. $375 per participant – Financial assistance is available.
KENTUCKY OPERA PRESENTS SIDECAR 2019 – Jazz-inspired fundraising event at The Henry Clay on Friday, May 17 @ 6 PM
Sidecar will feature live jazz and performances from Louisville favorites Emily Albrink, Soprano; Chad Sloan, Baritone; and David George, pianist. The winner of the Design Your Dream Porsche Raffle will be drawn at 9:30pm. $100 chances are available for purchase at kyopera.org. Sidecar will feature fun activities including a silent auction and fun games including a wine toss, and bourbon pull. The evening will conclude with swing dancing to the sounds of the Hora Certa Jazz Ensemble. Sponsored by Blue Grass MOTORSPORT.
Kentucky Opera Announces Brown-Forman 2019-2020 Season
General Director Barbara Lynne Jamison launches Youth Opera Initiative, adding 4th opera to the season!
The Brown-Forman 2019/20 Season — the first programmed by General Director Barbara Lynne Jamison who joined the company in August 2018 — will be framed by two timeless classics along with two Kentucky Opera debuts that allow the company to deeply engage with its community. The season kicks off in September with Georges Bizet’s Carmen. On Veteran’s Day weekend in November, Kentucky Opera presents Tom Cipullo’s Glory Denied – a story that follows the saga of Jim Thompson, America’s longest-held prisoner of war. The season continues with Mozart’s classic comedy The Marriage of Figaro over Valentine’s Day weekend in 2020.
Kentucky Opera’s ‘Opera Gala’ Goes BOLD at the Louisville Marriott Downtown Saturday, February 2, 2019
Kentucky Opera goes BOLD with its signature fundraising event ‘Opera Gala’ on Saturday February 2 at 6 PM. Guests are encouraged to be daring in their dress for one of Louisville’s best Black Tie affairs as Kentucky Opera creates an atmosphere to shake up the senses — including bold cocktails, dramatic lighting, performances by Kentucky Opera singers, Cirque Louis, and Wax Factory. The event will be hosted by Kentucky Opera’s General Director, Barbara Lynne Jamison. Cocktail hour will feature acrobatics from Cirque Louis, Brown-Forman BOLD Martinis and Manhattans, silent auction, and a specialty wine bar provided by Jackson Family Wines, and an amazing silent auction.
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