Enjoy a dynamic blend of comedy, heart, and timeless music at Central City Opera's 2025 Festival. Rossini's The Barber of Seville brings rapid-fire wit and beloved melodies as the clever Figaro ensures love triumphs. The regional premiere of The Knock delivers a deeply moving portrait of military spouses' resilience during the Iraq War. And for a Broadway-style twist, Once Upon a Mattress enchants with its playful humor and larger-than-life characters. From opera's greatest hits to poignant new works and musical theater magic, this season promises unforgettable storytelling and spectacular singing in one of the nation's most treasured and intimate opera houses.

Schedule of Events:

11:30 am: Short Works
02:00 pm: Mattress

Don't Sleep on this Faairytale with a Twist
Once Upon A Mattress is a hilarious, heartwarming twist on a classic fairy tale.

Packed with golden-age Broadway tunes, clever humor, and larger-than-life characters, Once Upon A Mattress offers a delightful mix of whimsy and vocal brilliance-perfect for anyone who loves music, laughter, and happily-ever-afters.

"The hilarity contained within it… is nothing less than inspired." - Huffington Post

"Once Upon a Mattress offers laughs galore" - New York Stage Review

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- Backstage Magic

7:30 pm: The Knock

A patriotic opera of heartache and hope
The Knock delves into the resilience and bravery of military spouses facing the unknown. Set in the American suburbs during the Iraq War, this regional premiere captures the strength required to endure the wait for a dreaded knock at the door.

Aleksandra Vrebalov's music and Deborah Brevoort's libretto offer a poignant reflection on love, sacrifice, and the courage demanded by wartime life.

"The Knock tells, with notable care and nuance, a story not just set in America, but one that is singularly American." - Opera News

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