Cedar Rapids Opera

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World Class Opera. Made in Iowa. Founded by Dr. Daniel Kleinknecht

10/20/2026

The wonderful cast of Papagayo for 2026 sat down for a panel to talk about their experiences and memories from the tour. Thanks to our Smith Young Artists Isabelle Hoyou, Scott Ochoa, Jordan Knapick, Reever Julian, Alice Lind, and Kelly McNeilly for making this show come to life!

10/16/2026

The Salon Series is back in a big way with our first show of Season 29! If you've been lucky enough to see Papagayo or be at Curtains Up, then you've heard this group, but you've never heard them like this.

Join us on Saturday, October 24th at 2 for an intimate and awe inspiring program of vocal performances from five of the Cedar Rapids Opera's Smith Young Artists. This first concert is hosted by Aura Independent Living.

Visit https://www.cropera.org/salon-series-aura to learn more and get your tickets today!

10/13/2026

Cedar Rapids Opera was so thrilled to be able to present Papagayo to a sold out show at Centennial Park! Over 375 people were in attendance with families of all ages able to enjoy the show. We handed out copies of the book by Gerald McDermott to each family that came, and did a Q&A at the end.

Thanks to everyone who came out! If you want to see Papagayo, your last chance for a public performance is this Saturday the 17th at Whipple Auditorium in the Downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library at 3 PM. Don't miss it!

10/07/2026

Aaaaaand we're back! This is part of my conversation with Abigail Rethwisch. In this episode we talk about how to overcome the language barrier when watching opera. Spoiler alert: its way easier than you might expect!

09/23/2026

You absolutely do not want to miss this one! Curtains Up is our season opener and it will be jammed full of musical performances by 7 artists, a delicious wood-fired pizza buffet, an exclusive look at the upcoming season, and a silent auction with great items for opera fans!

We can't wait to see you there. Get your tickets today at https://www.cropera.org/curtains-up-season-29

09/17/2026

We are just two weeks away from our season opening event, Curtains Up!

Get ready for a wonderful evening at Cedar Ridge Distillery with live opera performances, a woodfired pizza buffet, a silent auction, and special presentations on the upcoming season. No opera fan will want to miss this event which sells out every year. Get your tickets today!

More details are here: https://www.cropera.org/curtains-up-season-29

Or go straight to the ticket page here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=327672

We'll see you in the audience!

09/10/2026

Will Oelschlaeger sits down with Gary Whitehill and Sue Schmitt of TellersBridge to talk to them about the Storytelling Festival and the opera's role in it.

09/08/2026

Will Oelschlaeger sits down with Cecilia Rokusek of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library to talk about some of the great opera events coming up in their space this month. Don't forget to RSVP at https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E82716&id=998

09/01/2026

Brucemorchestra 2026 was a blast! We are so honored to have been invited to sing on the stage with Orchestra Iowa and their wonderful symphony.

The night featured a selection of Patriotic Pops songs and stories, and singing from Margaret Gawrysiak and Cedar Rapids Opera's own Tad Ennen. A bit of weather abbreviated the second half of the show unfortunately, but the indomitable Orchestra came back with an amazing 1812 Overture with real explosions like you can only get outdoors! All set against the beautiful backdrop of Brucemore for an experience that might be unbeatably peak Cedar Rapids.

We're looking forward to collaborating again with this season's January production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are available now through Orchestra Iowa's box office. It's the best way to support both arts and culture organizations in Cedar Rapids and have a great show to boot.

08/31/2026

Brucemorchestra 2026 is in the books! Well... most of it anyway. Yeah, there ended up being a little weather that cut into the second half, but it was a lovely evening nonetheless.

We got to hear 2 of our 3 singers. Margaret Gawrysiak and Tad Ennen both moved the audience. Pictures to follow tomorrow. We will have to wait a bit longer into the season to hear Jessica Pray Patel, but fear not! Jessica will be performing Johanna alongside Margaret as Mrs. Lovett in this January's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

You can support Cedar Rapids Opera as well as Orchestra Iowa both when you purchase your tickets to Sweeney Todd today! https://orchestraiowa.org/event/cedar-rapids-opera-presents-sweeney-todd-friday/

Thank you to everyone who came out to Brucemorchesta and supported the opera and orchestra. If you can't wait until January to get your next opera fix, mark your calendar for October 1st. Curtains Up for Season 29 will be happening at Cedar Ridge. Tickets and more information for that event are available at https://www.cropera.org/curtains-up-season-29

More to come on Brucemorchestra wrap up in tomorrow's weekly newsletter and more photos to post as well. See you then!

Address

425 2nd Street SE, Ste 960
Cedar Rapids, IA
52401

Telephone

+13193657401

Website

http://www.cropera.org/

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