Upcoming Events

March 18, 2023: 20th Anniversary Alumni Concert at the JMAC BrickBox

June 8-11, 2023: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, performed live

July/August 2023: Summer Concert Series

​Recent Events

2022 Summer Concert Series (July, August 2022) sponsored by the West Boylston Cultural Council and the Mass State Cultural Council

Puccini Double-Bill : Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica​

Puccini Double Bill - Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica was performed at Calliope Productions in Boylston, MA in June of 2022, with Gianni Schicchi also performed in August at the Briarwood Community.  Winner of the EMACT  2022 Consultant's Choice "The Show Must Go On" award.  Emily Baker (Suor Angelica) also nominated for Best Actress in a Musical.  This program was supported in part by grants from the Bolton, Boylston and Lancaster Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.  See our program here.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (May 2021) Filmed live onstage. Special congratulations to our EMACT Consultant's Choice Award winners Taylor Lawton (Excellence in Musical Theater Performance) and Charles Crane (Excellence in Sound Engineering.)  
Read our 4/25/2021 article by Richard Duckett in the Telegram and Gazette: online link here.  Pdf here.
Review by METRMag here
Review by Tony's Corner here
​A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder was presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). Streaming is presented through special arrangement with MTI.  All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.  Mtishows.com.  All covid protocols were followed during this production and filming.

A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol Radio Play - December 13, 2020 

Join us for a jolly romp through Gayden Wren's witty adaptation of this classic story, set to the music of Arthur Sullivan, with lyrics inspired by W.S. Gilbert.  In the form of an Olde Tyme radio play, this is an entertaining event for all ages!  Featuring the vocal talents of Greater Worcester Opera.  To see the video, click this link.

Recent Events

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Summer 2020 Events
During the pandemic, GWO recorded our summer concerts "In the Barn" and brought them to you virtually.  Though we much prefer performing live, this was our solution to the troubled times of 2020.  Links below - enjoy!

July 15 (7:30 PM) -  Marriage of Figaro Play Reading (Zoom reading)
Zoom play reading of the Beaumarchais play upon which Mozart's magnificent opera, The Marriage of Figaro, was based. There's a great deal of character development in this rarely performed work that will deepen your understanding of the opera - join us to watch/listen to many of our onstage performers bring these characters to life!   Watch the play reading  on our YouTube channel:  Act I (38 min), Act II (45 min), Act III (35 min), Act IV (24 min), Act V (29 min)
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July 22 (7:30 PM) - Music from Italy - Live Concert
Join the artists of GWO as we present a live concert of music from Italy, featuring arias and art songs from the cradle of classical music. Accompanied by Olga Rogach. Watch the concert at any time on our YouTube channel: Link to Italian Concert.

July 29 (7:30 PM) - Gilbert and Sullivan - Live Concert
GWO brings you an evening of Gilbert & Sullivan, recorded live! Accompanied by Olga Rogach, you'll hear many of your favorite songs from this Dynamic Duo's beloved canon. Watch the video on our YouTube channel by Link to Gilbert & Sullivan Concert.

August 5 (7:30 PM) - John and Abigail Adams : Letters from Quarantine
GWO brings you a unique event - a dramatic reading of selected letters of American history's first "power couple". John and Abigail Adams both went through times of quarantine during the 18th century small pox epidemic - he shortly before their marriage, and she along with her 4 small children while her husband was helping birth the new country in Philadelphia. As expressed in their letters, they felt the pangs of isolation, fear, uncertainty and separation, much like the ones we've all been facing in the past months. Dramatically read by Todd Yard and Elaine Crane. Watch the film on our YouTube channel - John and Abigail Adams : Letters from Quarantine, or click the "play" button below.

 Concerts, programs and other ongoing events

The ABC's of Opera
This multi-media introduction to opera includes an engaging talk about the nuts and bolts of this beautiful art form, and live examples.  Perfect for a library series or community center, our artists and lecturer unpack the mysteries and highlight the joys of opera in an informative and fun presentation!
Concerts
GWO has a variety of travelling concerts to fit every need and budget.  Our professional artists can create concerts specific to your needs, or you can book one of our current selections:

Italian Concert - regional songs, art songs and arias from Italy, featuring voice and mandolin
Broadway Concert - a wide array of songs from the Great White Way
Great American Songbook Concert - featuring standards made popular by Sinatra, Fitzgerald and more
Opera Concert - arias and ensembles to delight, move and entertain
Bernstein on Broadway - a narrated concert of some of this treasured composer's works
For more information about concerts, please fill out the form below, or email contact@greaterworcesteropera.org

Touring Opera for Students
For a fact sheet including prices, click here

Diamonds and Toads

Greater Worcester Opera is pleased to offer an original production for elementary age students.  Diamonds and Toads is based on the French fairy tale by Perrault and tells the tale of two sisters, and how by way of a Fairy they learn the value of kind speech, and empathy.  This tale has a valuable lesson, and is also an excellent introduction to the music of Mozart.  The cast features Sandy Fritze as the Fairy, Erin Conley/Christine Petkus as Rose and Elaine Crane as Grace, with storybook sets and costumes.  The production gave its first performance on January 30, 2009 in Worcester and has been delighting schools and communities throughout Massachusetts  ever since.

The Pirates of Penzance

Opera for the Young's school-friendly version of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance is performed by four professional singers, an accompanist, and your students!  Featuring a teacher's guide, student prep handbook, and MP3 CD of all the music, music educators have all tools at their fingertips needed to prepare a select number of students to be Wards, Constables, and of course-- Pirates!  Our professional singers will lead your students through a fun-filled performance of this classic opera, and they will enjoy the story as they experience the music and action first hand.

Produced in collaboration with the New England Gilbert & Sullivan Association (NEGASS), this production is available exclusively through Young Audiences of Massachusetts.  For performance rates or to book a show, please contact YA directly. To contact GWO directly with any questions, please email susan@greaterworcesteropera.org.

Hansel and Gretel
Our newest touring opera, this kid-sized version of the classic employs all the famous tunes and tale, along with colorful costumes and beautiful sets.  This production also features students (prepared in advance by the music teacher or specialist) who perform right alongside our professional cast of singers.  A study guide and student helps are currently in development.  This beautiful new production will get your students excited about opera by using one of their favorite stories, set to Humperdinck's exceptional music!

    To book a show or make an inquiry