Opera Theater

Cinderella and her two stepsisters
Audition Information
Refer to schedule and ensemble contacts list
Rehearsal Schedule
Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Duke Opera Theater presents staged chamber operas, operatic scenes and concerts across the Duke Campus. The ensemble primarily performs operatic literature ranging from Mozart through contemporary operas written by living composers. In addition to traditional operatic repertoire, the group has presented cabaret shows featuring music from the Great American Songbook and recently, a concert of classical musical theater and operetta accompanied by a string ensemble.
 
The group has also collaborated with other Duke Music ensembles including the Duke Jazz Ensemble and the Duke Chorale.
 
Performance skills are emphasized along with exposure to, and appreciation of, masterworks in the art form with emphasis given to stage skills, presentation and preparation. Open to all undergraduate and graduate students by permission of the director, it is not necessary to be a Music major/minor to participate.
 
Many Opera Theater alumni have gone on to pursue careers in music, teaching and performing in the U.S. and around the world. Duke Opera Theater brought several of these talented graduates back to campus in April 2014 to perform a gala performance with scenes from La Traviata, Tales of Hoffman, The Marriage of Figaro, Die Fledermaus, and Eugene Onegin alongside current Opera Theater students.

Duke Opera Theater was founded by John Hanks in 1958.
Duke Opera Theater former directors:

  • John Hanks (1958-1982)
  • Wayne Lail (1982-1993)
  • Susan Dunn (1993-2019)

Opera Theater Videos