The largest professional opera company in the Carolinas is entering a new phase in its history as it prepares for the 2025-26 season. Opera Carolina has announced an ambitious lineup of grand operas, special concerts, philanthropic events, and community initiatives for its 76th year.
Led by general director Dr. Shanté Williams, Opera Carolina is expanding on its “Opera for All” theme with a merging of tradition and innovation, while celebrating the diversity of the opera world. Dr. Williams said, “Audiences can expect powerhouse performances, compelling stories, and a lot of fun from notable voices from opera houses around the world alongside our group of impressive local talent and upcoming artists.”
Claudio Ferri, who will debut next season as the organization’s artistic director, added, “Our vision is to broaden Opera Carolina’s status amongst the international opera network by presenting world-class productions, co-productions, artists and management. There is something for everyone to enjoy, and we can’t wait for audiences to join us on this extraordinary artistic journey.”
Let’s look at some of the highlights of the 2025-26 season:
The new season begins on September 11 with the company’s first-ever 9/11 Commemorative Concert, in collaboration with the Mint Museum Uptown. The event will include a performance of Giovanni Batista Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater” in memory of the victims.
On November 1, Opera Carolina is partnering with the Puccini Festival of Torre del Lago for a follow-up to last year’s successful A Night to Remember. The special event at Belk Theater will pay tribute to Giacomo Puccini’s heroines.
Opera Carolina’s signature fundraiser, Bella Notte, is moving to New Year’s Eve. The event is being updated with a glamorous new look, breathtaking performances, and a few surprises.
Puccini pops up again as two of his operas will hit the stage January 15-17, 2026, with Grammy Award-winning singer Latonia Moore leading the cast. In an intriguing double-bill, Broadway and television director David Warren will make his opera directorial debut with Gianni Schicchi, while Italian director Davide Garattini Raimondi will lead Suor Angelica.
A special concert event, Lift Every Voice and Sing, will celebrate the contributions of Black composers and artists. The performance is scheduled for February 28, the final day of Black History Month.
Opera Carolina is summoning a gripping 20th century work next spring. American mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves will return to Charlotte to perform the title role and direct Gian Carlo Menotti’s 1946 two-act drama The Medium,April 17-19.
Special guest performers from other acclaimed opera houses are coming to Knight Theater for Bel Canto Incanto on May 2. The roster includes two of opera’s brightest stars, Erin Morley and Lawrence Brownlee.
The 2025-26 season also brings the ‘Queen of the Night’ to the Queen City. Mozart’s final opera, The Magic Flute, is slated for June 26-28 at Central Piedmont Community College’s Halton Theater. Directed by Ivan Stefanutti, the production will feature an all-star cast and emerging international talents from Italy’s Teatro Sociale di Como and the International Lyric Academy.
Opera Carolina is also continuing its commitment to community engagement with a variety of other programs and events:
- The Resident Artist program to cultivate Charlotte’s regional opera artists.
- The Barbara Frittoli Academy, which annually hosts four 10-day vocal sessions.
- Musical Storytime, a 30-minute experience that features a community reader sharing a children’s book accompanied by Opera Carolina artists infusing the story with songs.
- Opera Xpress, the educational touring company of Opera Carolina connecting opera to the classroom.
- Family Opera, neighborhood-based performances that are free and open to families across the Charlotte region.
- The Classic Golf Tournament, and a trunk show sponsored by world-renowned fashion house Dolce & Gabbana.
Tickets for performances are currently on sale for Opera Carolina subscribers. Tickets will be available to the general public on May 1. Full details about the 2025-26 opera season and the other events are at operacarolina.org.
*Disclaimer: Opera Carolina is a WDAV underwriter