Boulder Opera’s Der Rosenkavalier, directed by Mark Lubas, reimagines Strauss’s beloved opera in 1950s Denver through an intimate chamber production. In this exclusive interview, Lubas shares how themes of love, class, and social change come to life in a setting that feels both local and deeply relatable, along with insights for first-time audiences and details about a free pre-talk at the Dairy Arts Center.
Whether you are a young singer just discovering your voice, a teen navigating vocal change, or an adult returning to singing after time away, one truth remains constant: your body is your instrument. Healthy singing is not about forcing sound or chasing volume—it’s about alignment, breath, intention, and connection. Here are five foundational principles that support vocal health at every stage of singing.
Arts education is more than an enrichment activity, it is a powerful tool that shapes how students think, feel, and connect with the world. Boulder Opera offers two opera outreach classroom programs that allow us to bring opera to students in the fall and spring semesters. In the fall we invite students to the student matinee performances of our Family Series and bring a bilingual opera education workshop to classrooms to prepare them for the field trip to the student matinee. This year we reached over 250 students with our workshops and performances of Gaetano Donizetti’s Elixir of Love. Over half of those reached were students from Title 1 schools in Boulder county.
Interested in volunteering, sponsoring a performance, underwriting education outreach or hosting a house concert? Visit our website to learn how you can be part of the Boulder Opera family.
Boulder Opera is thrilled to welcome back Madeleine Snow, who returns to direct The Elixir of Love after delighting audiences with her magical staging of The Magic Flute in 2024.
Boulder Opera Company is known for making opera accessible, inclusive, and exciting for audiences of all ages. This winter, the company presents a fresh, family-friendly take on Donizetti’s beloved comic gem, The Elixir of Love — a heartwarming story filled with laughter, love, and dazzling bel canto singing.
Colorado comes alive in the summer with music, mountains, and magical performances—and opera lovers are in for a treat. From breathtaking mountain venues to charming city plazas and serene outdoor parks, opera in Colorado offers something for everyone. Whether you're planning a cultural weekend getaway or simply enjoying an evening of music under the stars, this guide will lead you through the must-see opera events happening across the state.
As Boulder Opera prepares for its winter production of Puccini’s Il Tabarro and Gianni Schicchi at the Dairy Arts Center, we sat down with conductor Brandon Matthews to discuss his thoughts on the music, themes, and his personal connection to these works. This production marks Dr. Matthews' debut with Boulder Opera
The Adventures of Pinocchio by Jonathan Dove will bring its magic on to the eTown Hall stage. The enchanting music and its incredibly gifted cast, The Adventures of Pinocchio proves another installment of the Family series perfect introduction to opera for the young generation.
Recently the Denver Arts & Culture News sat down with Boulder Opera’s founder and Executive Artistic Director Dianela Acosta for an interview. Discover her journey as a female leader in opera, her passion for engaging new audiences, and the innovative programs Boulder Opera offers. Learn how she promotes gender diversity and creates opportunities for local musicians, and find out what exciting projects are on the horizon for the company.
Don't miss this insightful interview! READ MORE HERE
Exciting News! Denver Voyage recently sat down with our Founder and General Director, Dianela Acosta, to dive into the rich history and vibrant future of Boulder Opera.
Boulder Opera Company had the privilege to interview Ilan Blank, a local composer and recent graduate from CU. Blank's The Spare Room with a Shag Rug will be showcased in our upcoming performance, Operatizers. Tune in as Blank explains the inspiration behind his creation, how history influences his storytelling and more fascinating insights.
Brandon Tyler Padgett and Sabina Balsamo fill the positions of both performers and stage directors for Boulder Opera Company’s Operatizers.
Mario Barbosa serves as the music director of three of Boulder Opera Companies' shows, including our upcoming dinner opera production, Suor Angelica.
Savannah Scott is set to take center stage in the Boulder Opera Company’s dinner opera production of Suor Angelica by Puccini.
Suor Angelica by Puccini was crafted a century ago and stands as a notable piece of artwork due to its emotional depth and poignant music. Native New Yorker, Helen Van Tine-Golden is set to direct her interpretation of this one-act opera Suor Angelica at Dickens Opera House. Van Tine-Golden describes Suor Angelica as a tiny gem of verismo opera. “Suor Angelica is an opera where the most glorious orchestra and melody are written in celebration of the female voice and psyche,” said Van Tine-Golden. In an exclusive interview, Van Tine-Golden sat down with us to discuss the highly anticipated Dinner Opera: Suor Angelica, taking time out of her busy schedule to share her insights.
Puccini's inspiration to write Suor Angelica came from his sister, who joined a convent. Puccini was a frequent visitor and benefactor of his sister's convent. “The impetus to all his operas was a play he saw, a story he read, or observations from the lives of people he encountered, that moved him deeply to compose operas that matched the emotional complexities he felt about the characters and their stories,” explains Van Tine-Golden. While the specifics of what Puccini witnessed at his sister’s convent remains unknown to this day, Suor Angelica held a special place in his heart among the three one-acts he wrote.
The story of Suor Angelica is very human. Van Tine-Golden says that the characters in Suor Angelica are too complex to be characterized as ‘good’ or ‘bad.“The backstory and motivations for Suor herself, the nuns, and the Principessa are inferred from what they say, how they act, and the color of the music. Just like in everyday life, we glean what we know -or think we know -about people by what the little things that they say and do stir up in us - good and bad.”
In the words of Puccini, “I told you that I always wanted to make people cry: that’s all. But do you think it is easy? We have to find a story that holds us with its poetry, it's love and suffering, and inspires us to the point that we can get an opera out of it.” Van Tine-Golden aims for her audience to fall in love with her production of Suor Angelica. “It's humanity and the celestial music.” She went on to say that she welcomes tears from her audience, “And, if you cried at the end, like Mr. Puccini wanted you to, all the better. Then take every opportunity they can to see and hear all of Mr. Puccini's works, as well as all the great operas, old and new.”
Dramatic soprano Stefanie Anduri will portray central character Brunnhilde in Boulder Opera Company's Opera in the Park production of Scenes from Der Ring on July 29th in Boulder, Colorado.
At Boulder Opera, we are excited to announce that Gene Roberts will be joining our team once again to direct our production of Massenet’s Manon.
At Boulder Opera, we are excited to announce that Steven Aguiló-Arbues will be joining our team once again to conduct our production of Massenet’s Manon.
At Boulder Opera, we are excited to announce that Brandon Tyler Padgett will be joining our team once again to direct our production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, as well as sing the role of Father.
