Student Dress Rehearsals

Recommended grade level
Middle and high school students

Major themes
Justice and consequences, freedom vs responsibility, desire and power

Summary
A thrilling fable of deceit and retribution about a reckless nobleman, Don Giovanni, who spends his life seducing women and avoiding consequences, until his actions catch up to him. With a mix of high drama, sharp humor, and an exquisite score, this opera blends comedy and tragedy to show that actions ultimately have consequences. Sung in Italian with projected English titles.

Running time is 3 hours 25 minutes, including 1 intermission

Recommended grade level
Middle and high school students

Major themes
Human cost of slavery, the power of literacy, survival, faith and spirituality

Summary
This Pulitzer Prize-winning score is inspired by the memoir of 19th-century Islamic scholar Omar ibn Said, who is captured in West Africa and enslaved in America. Despite losing his freedom, Omar holds onto his faith, education, and identity through writing and reflection. This American story highlights resilience, spirituality, and the human cost of slavery through the musical styles of hymns, spirituals, and bluegrass. Sung in English with projected English titles.

Running time is 2 hours 40 minutes, including 1 intermission.

Recommended grade level
Middle and high school students

Major themes
Love, pride and humility, social expectations

Summary
A delightful comedy about an older man, Don Pasquale, who tries to outsmart his nephew by arranging a marriage — but ends up being tricked himself. With the help of clever disguises and a fake bride, the younger characters teach Don Pasquale a lesson about love, pride, and generosity. In the end, find out if true love can conquer all.  Sung in Italian with projected English titles.

Running time is 2 hours 40 minutes, including 1 intermission.

Recommended grade level
High school students

Major themes
Political power, love vs obsession, revenge

Summary
Hérodiade retells the biblical story of Salome, John the Baptist, and King Herod with heightened emotional intensity and lush Romantic music. The plot centers on themes of love, jealousy, and political power, as Salome unknowingly falls in love with her own mother’s enemy, leading to tragedy. Sung in French with projected English titles.

Note: In a concert version, the focus is on vocal performance and orchestration rather than staging, making it especially useful for studying musical storytelling and character development.

Running time is 3 hours 15 minutes, including 1 intermission.

Recommended grade level
Middle and high school students

Major themes
Love, loss, renewal, and the value of art and entertainment

Summary
This playful opera tells the story of Ariadne, who has been abandoned on an island and is heartbroken, believing she will never love again. A lively group of comedians interrupts her sorrow, and through humor and new encounters, Ariadne discovers hope and the possibility of moving forward. The opera blends serious drama with comedy to show how grief and joy can exist side by side. Sung in German with projected English titles.

Running time is 2 hours 40 minutes, including 1 intermission.

Recommended grade level
Middle and high school students

Major themes
Mortality, society judgement, sacrifice

Summary
Violetta falls in love with Alfredo and dreams of a new life, but is pressured to give him up because of her past and social expectations. As Violetta’s  health declines, the two are reunited, but their happiness is short-lived. The story highlights love, sacrifice, and the impact of society’s judgments woven together with Verdi’s sumptuous score. Sung in Italian with projected English titles.

Running time is 3 hours 5 minutes, including 2 intermissions.

Recommended grade level
Middle and high school students

Major themes
Abuse of authority, hypocrisy, innocence vs corruption

Summary
A young woman in a small Appalachian town is wrongly accused of immoral behavior and shunned by her community. As rumors spread and pressure grows, Susannah struggles to defend herself against fear, judgment, and injustice. Themes of prejudice, rumor, and the consequences of false accusations unfold with a taut, visceral libretto and a score that infuses lush orchestration with flavors of Broadway and American folk music. Sung in English with projected English titles.

Running time is 2 hours 10 minutes, including 1 intermission.

Recommended grade level
Middle and high school students

Major themes
Community and belonging, luck vs. responsibility

Summary
This classic musical comedy is set in New York City, where gamblers and showgirls cross paths with missionaries trying to save souls. The story follows Sky Masterson, who makes a bet that leads him to fall in love with Sarah Brown, while Nathan Detroit struggles to keep his long-time fiancée happy. Filled with humor and catchy songs, Guys & Dolls celebrates love, luck, and personal change.

Running time is 2 hours 40 mintues, including 1 intermission.