May 3, 2025, 8:30pm

Looking for the heart of America? Take a closer look at American opera—where every note captures the joys, struggles, and dreams of our nation.

Join us as opera luminaries take the stage to celebrate the heart and soul of American composers and their beloved works, weaving tales of struggle, triumph, and everything in between. With works by Samuel Barber to Leonard Bernstein to Margaret Bonds and more, this concert is a lively homage to the music that captures the American spirit.

With this concert, WNO continues its commitment to celebrating opera’s past and building its future.

May 23 - 31, 2025

Artistic Director Francesca Zambello’s adaptation of Gershwin’s landmark “folk opera” returns after playing to critical acclaim across renowned opera stages. Often considered the first great American opera, Porgy and Bess melds jazz, gospel, and folk styles. A new generation of talented singers assembles to take on Gershwin’s beloved music, from the gentle duet “Bess, You Is My Woman Now” to the instantly recognizable “Summertime” lullaby.