American Icons
Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America and the 45th Anniversary of Opera Columbus
Opera Columbus celebrates its 45th anniversary season with American Icons, a bold lineup of works that reimagine classics and spotlight stories that have shaped the American cultural landscape.
All we are missing now is: you! MAKE IT YOURS!!!
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Single Tickets are on sale Monday, June 1st
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Pirates! The Penzance Musical
November 6-8, 2026
Palace Theatre
A City scale wide co-production with Columbus Association for the Performing Arts. Gilbert & Sullivan’s pirate ship docks in New Orleans in this jazzy, blues-infused reimagining of the crowd-pleasing classic. Pirates! The Penzance Musical fuses the wit and wordplay of G&S with Caribbean rhythms and French Quarter flair for an outrageously clever romp.
Raised by pirates, Frederic believes his 21st birthday will finally set him free, until a twist of fate complicates everything. When he falls for Mabel, the spirited daughter of Major-General Stanley, pirates, policemen, and villagers collide in a whirlwind of swordplay, mistaken identities, and fast-flying patter. Led by a tongue-twisting Major General, a swaggering Pirate King, and a shipload of unforgettable musical numbers, this high-energy adventure overflows with romance, mischief, and off-the-charts fun, perfect for first-timers and Gilbert & Sullivan aficionados alike.
And for audiences who loved the scale, electricity, and collaborative spirit of West Side Story, this is the must-see event of the season: a bold, genre-blending collaboration that brings opera, musical theatre, jazz and irresistible groove together in one wildly entertaining night.
Based on the operetta by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan
Adapted by Rupert Holmes
Messiah Sing-Along
December 2026
Your Favorite Breweries + Cafes
For more than 250 years, Handel’s Messiah has been a joyfully participatory tradition—and this December, Opera Columbus invites you to sing along in the most Columbus way possible. Join us for an immersive Messiah Sing-Along popping up in your favorite local breweries and cafés across the city. Raise a glass, lift your voice, and experience Handel’s timeless masterpiece infused with laughter, warmth, and community. Equal parts reverent and revelatory, this spirited holiday favorite adds an extra dose of sparkle, connection, and cheer to the season.
The Girl of the Golden West
(La Fanciulla del West)
February 26 + 28, 2027
Southern Theatre
The Girl of the Golden West (La fanciulla del West) drops you straight into a rough-and-tumble Gold Rush mining camp where fortunes are chased, guns are loaded, and hope is a dangerous thing. Powered by some of Puccini’s most cinematic, emotionally charged music, the score surges with sweeping romance, tension, and raw intensity.
When the mysterious Dick Johnson rides into town, Minnie dares to imagine a life beyond the barroom. But Johnson is hiding a dangerous secret, and when his true identity as an outlaw is revealed, everything ignites. With Sheriff Jack Rance closing in and the camp on edge, Minnie is forced to play for the highest stakes of her life: love versus the law, mercy versus vengeance. One audacious gamble will decide who walks free… and who doesn’t.
The Girl of the Golden West
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Guelfo Civinini and Carlo Zangarini
The Shining
Music by Paul Moravec
Libretto by Mark Campbell
Based on the novel by Stephen King*
Published by and presented with the permission of Subito Music Corporation
The Shining
April 16 + 18, 2027
Palace Theatre
Based on the novel by Stephen King, The Shining brings audiences inside the Overlook Hotel as the Torrance family becomes trapped by snow, isolation, and the hotel’s malevolent history. Danny’s sixth sense exposes horrors long buried, while Jack’s struggle with his past turns increasingly dangerous. Wendy refuses to give up without a fight. With a haunting score by Paul Moravec and libretto by Mark Campbell, this opera transforms King’s psychological thriller into a powerful family drama – unnerving, emotional, and impossible to look away from.
The Cooper-Bing Competition
May 16, 2027
Southern Theatre
The Cooper-Bing is an internationally recognized vocal competition that has celebrated and supported emerging young artists in opera. Dubbed “The Olympics of Opera”, this competition encourages talent, creates artistic opportunity, and helps welcome the next generation into the professional opera community. Five finalists compete for the grand prize of $10,000!
