October 7-19, 2024
Cedar Rapids Community School District Elementary Schools
October 12, 2024 | 10am
Whipple Auditorium at the Cedar Rapids Public Library
CRO’s Season 27 children’s outreach opera, this show is an adaptation of Dvořák’s Rusalka. Originally a full-length Czech opera with a tragic ending, this charming English adaptation offers a happy ending for the mermaid Rusalka and her prince.
October 27, 2024 | 3pm
Daehler-Kitchin Auditorium at Coe College
Celebrate the 80th birthday of acclaimed Iowa composer Jerry Owen with a concert of his works! Featuring six of Owen’s gorgeous song cycles sung by top Cedar Rapids Opera talent, this program honors Owen, his music, and his many accolades.
October 30, 2024 | 7pm
November 3, 2024 | 7pm
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
Presented in collaboration with the National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library, Dvořák’s opera Rusalka tells the tale of a mermaid in love with a human prince.
Cedar Rapids Opera is proud to partner with the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library for this production.
November 23, 2024 | 7:30pm
Ideal Theatre & Bar
Enjoy a showcase of local talent from the Cedar Rapids area! After the massive success of the first sold-out cabaret in April, CROpera is thrilled to be returning to Ideal Theater & Bar for another cabaret. From opera to show tunes and back again, this elegant evening of music is a night you won’t want to miss.
December 2024
Virtual Screening
In this exploration of the tempestuous lives of Jackson Pollock and Peggy Guggenheim, we come to see how little distance there is between tragedy and comedy, madness and a marvelous work of art— “Mural”, an 8 x 20’ painting by Jackson Pollock commissioned by Peggy Guggenheim for the lobby of her New York City apartment--which might have been lost forever in the Great Flood of 2008 if not for the quick thinking of museum staffers who packed up the painting and spirited it to safety.
January 13, 2025 | 7pm
Hosted Virtually
This Book Club will focus on the 1698 Charles Perrault version of Cinderella - as well other Perrault tales that inspired musical adaptations such as Sleeping Beauty (ballet by Tchaikovsky), Puss in Boots (opera by César Cui), Bluebeard (opera by Bartok), and other versions of Cinderella such as the opera by Rossini and the ballet by Prokofiev.
Additional lectures given by Dr. Barker will precede each performance of Cinderella by one hour. Friday, January 17 at 6:30pm and Sunday, January 19 at 1pm in the Encore Lounge at the Paramount Theatre
January 17, 2025 | 7:30pm
January 19, 2025 | 2pm
Paramount Theatre
Experience a magical retelling of the classic fairy tale with Massenet’s opera, Cinderella! Through captivating arias, tender duets, and lush orchestration, it tells the timeless story of Cinderella’s journey from rags to riches and the power of kindness and love to conquer all obstacles.
March 22, 2025 | 7:30pm
Ballantyne Auditorium at Kirkwood Community College
March 23, 2025 | 2pm
Coralville Center for the Performing Arts
A contemporary fairy tale, this operatic adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Nightingale premiered in September of 2023 and tells the story of a collector who hopes to accumulate the world’s most beautiful objects—including the beautiful song of the deceptively plain nightingale.
Cedar Rapids Opera is proud to partner with Orchestra Iowa for this production.
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THE FAIREST SEASON OF ALL
Cedar Rapids Opera is excited to announce our 27th season - where timeless fairy tales come to life through the magic of music and storytelling. Prepare to be captivated by extraordinary performances, stunning sets, and unforgettable music. Whether you’re a longtime opera lover or new to the art form, Cedar Rapids Opera’s fairy-tale inspired season has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on the fairest season of all!
THE LITTLEST MERMAID
JERRY OWEN'S 80TH BIRTHDAY CONCERT
RUSALKA
MOONLIT CABARET
PEGGY AND JACKSON
BOOK CLUB WITH ANNA BARKER
CINDERELLA
SONG OF THE NIGHTINGALE
