Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert

06/18/2026

Throwback Thursday from the opera world! 🎭

In 1876, the original Wagner die‑hards in Bayreuth willingly signed up for the first complete Ring Cycle: four operas, five nights, roughly 16 hours of gods, curses, and one very problematic piece of jewelry. They kept showing up night after night, riding every wave of brass and drama together — the 19th‑century version of a group binge, just with corsets, tailcoats, and no pause button.

So which team are you on: “give me the whole Ring” or “I’ll just drop in for Walküre and passed hors d’oeuvres”?

06/13/2026

Opera in Color: David Hockney 🎨

Remembering David Hockney, the visionary artist who brought pop‑art color and imagination to the opera stage. Hockney’s stage career began with Ubu Roi at London’s Royal Court Theatre in 1966 and blossomed into landmark designs for Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress and The Magic Flute at Glyndebourne.

He went on to create unforgettable visuals for the Metropolitan Opera’s French triple bill Parade, Les mamelles de Tirésias, and L’enfant et les sortilèges, as well as later productions of Tristan und Isolde, Turandot, and Die Frau ohne Schatten. His work reminds us that opera is not only heard but seen – every performance a complete artwork in music, color, and light.

in 2022, Hockney even painted Harry Styles from life in his Normandy studio, a portrait later unveiled at London’s National Portrait Gallery.



🎥 Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/ACkTGMC2Buc?is=VyifFfrHLDhPpGIb

06/07/2026

As we ready our 58th Season: “Where Music Soars,” we’re kicking things off with a playful Opera Emoji Hunt to test your opera imagination. Each emoji combo hints at an opera—there’s no single “right” answer, so drop your best guesses in the comments and tag a friend to join the fun! 🥳

Comment with:
• An opera that fits this emoji combo: ❤️🔪
• An opera that fits this combo: 🎭🎉🍾
• An opera that fits this combo: 👑⚔️🏰
• An opera that fits this combo: 👻🌙



https://palmspringsoperaguild.org/season-58/

06/01/2026

Marilyn Monroe would have turned 100 this week, and her life truly was “big enough for opera”—full of glamour, vulnerability, and a mythic rise and fall that still move us today. As we celebrate her centennial, we’re reminded how powerful it is when women’s stories are told in all their complexity, on stage and beyond.

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember.

On Memorial Day, we honor those who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice lives on in the freedoms we share and the lives we lead.

As an opera community, we are reminded that remembrance is an act of care—of keeping stories, voices, and lives present. In that spirit, we hold space today with gratitude and reflection.

We welcome you to share a name or memory in the comments, helping to keep their stories alive.

05/18/2026

Season 58 is tuning up—can you hear it? 🎶
Explore what’s ahead on our website and make this your year with us. Your membership benefits last a full year from the day you join, so there’s no better time to get involved.
This season shines a spotlight on our young and rising vocalists—including winners and finalists from our annual Vocal Competition—who are bringing fresh energy and artistry to the stage. Join us as we champion the future of opera, right here in the Coachella Valley.



Visit: https://palmspringsoperaguild.org/season-58/

05/11/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at the Palm Springs Opera Guild. Today we celebrate the love, strength, and devotion of mothers everywhere, including opera’s unforgettable Cio-Cio-San from Madama Butterfly and the fierce, protective love of Jocasta from Oedipus Rex—two powerful reminders of how profoundly mothers shape our lives and stories.
🌷🎶
Wishing all mothers and mother figures a beautiful day filled with joy, love, and music!

05/06/2026

Season 58 is coming in hot!💫🔥
Explore the preview page on our website now for a first look at a season with polish, personality, and serious allure — from the Season Opening Reception and Opera Under the Stars, to the Legacy Dinner, Lime Jello Marshmallow Cottage Cheese Surprise Fundraiser, Vocal Competition, and another fabulous Bus Trip to LA Opera! There’s something compelling at every membership level, and now is the moment to step in, lean in, and become part of what’s next.🍋‍🟩

For more than 55 years, the Palm Springs Opera Guild has been a driving force in the cultural and artistic life of the Coachella Valley, empowering artists and engaging the community. We invite you to join us for our 57th Season for 2025-26.

04/25/2026

🎶 This Day in Opera — April 25 🎶

April 25 spotlights Innocence, Kaija Saariaho’s final opera, which is on The Metropolitan Opera calendar for today. Saariaho’s work is a powerful modern operatic voice, known for its eerie beauty and contemporary emotional force. 🎭✨

04/19/2026

This Season 58, we're infusing the opera experience with a refreshing twist of lime, a delightful touch of cottage cheese, and a dash of marshmallow magic. 🎭✨ Tune in to Damian and get ready for the surprise announcement soon! Can you guess what we have in store?"🍈✨