Opera Montana

🌹This season's spring grand opera is…

CARMEN
Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Henri Meilhac & Ludovic Halévy
Sung in French with English supertitles

Georges Bizet’s electrifying masterpiece returns to Bozeman for the first time in nearly twenty years. This bold new production follows the free-spirited Carmen and the soldier drawn into her dangerous orbit, where desire and jealousy collide. With its unforgettable melodies and fiery drama, Carmen delivers a night at the opera that is as passionate as it is spectacular.

Performance Schedule
• Bozeman, MT - April 30, May 2, 7, & 9, 2027 at The Ellen Theatre

🎟️ Single tickets go on sale June 15 for our watershed season!

Learn more about our upcoming season: https://www.operamontana.org/shows

🎸 This season's winter musical is…

ONCE
Music & Lyrics by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová
Book by Enda Walsh
Based on the Motion Picture Written & Directed by John Carney

Opera Montana returns to the beautiful Armory Music Hall for the Tony Award-winning musical Once. Be transported to Dublin as you follow the intimate story of two kindred spirits bound by love, loss, and the power of music. Featuring the Oscar-winning song "Falling Slowly," stirring choreography, and a cast made up entirely of actor-musicians, Once reminds us how connection and creativity can change our lives forever.

Performance Schedule
• Bozeman, MT - January 29, 30, 31 & February 5, 6, & 7, 2027 at the Armory Music Hall

🎟️Single tickets go on sale June 15 for our watershed season!

Learn more about our upcoming season: https://www.operamontana.org/shows

It’s almost time to secure your seat for our season opener! 🌊

Single tickets go on sale June 15‼️

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT (WORLD PREMIERE)
Music by Zach Redler
Libretto by Kelley Rourke & Matt Foss
Based on the Novella by Norman Maclean
Commissioned, developed, and premiered by Opera Montana
With funding from Carol Glenn & Sal Lalani, Drs. Dennis & Anne Wentz, and Ron Lerner, in loving memory of his wife, Jane Lerner

Opera Montana will present the World Premiere of A River Runs Through It in September 2026, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of Norman Maclean’s now-classic novella. The story follows two brothers in early 20th century Montana as they grow up—and grow apart—against a backdrop of family, faith, and fishing.

👉Performance Schedule
• Bozeman, MT - September 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26 & 27, 2026 at The Ellen Theatre
• Missoula, MT Concert Staging - October 3 & 4, 2026 at University of Montana’s Dennison Theatre in collaboration with Missoula Symphony Orchestra

Based on the novel by Norman Maclean, by kind permission of The University of Chicago Press, Jean Maclean Snyder and John N. Maclean.

Learn more about our upcoming season: https://www.operamontana.org/shows

🚨T- Minus 8 days! 🚨

Single tickets go on sale June 15 for our watershed season!

🗓️ Set a reminder and secure your seats!

A River Runs Through It - World Premiere
September 18-20 & 24-27, 2026
The Ellen Theatre

Once
January 29-31 and February 5-7, 2027
The Armory Music Hall

Carmen
April 30, May 2, May 7, and May 9, 2027
The Ellen Theatre

Learn more about our season: https://www.operamontana.org/shows

Grab your headphones! 🎧

Yellowstone Public Radio just released a segment about our journey toward the world premiere of A River Runs Through It by Zach Redler, Kelley Rourke, and Matt Foss.

YPR's Karl Lengel spoke with Susan Miller, Opera Montana’s General Director, about the journey so far.

👂Listen to the segment here: https://www.ypradio.org/regional-news/2026-06-05/a-river-runs-through-it-workshops-toward-premiere

👉Learn more about this exciting new work here: https://www.operamontana.org/show/a-river-runs-through-it

Help us inspire the next generation of opera lovers!

Opera Montana seeks its first Education Director, a visionary leader and educator who will shape and grow our educational programs. The Education Director will develop a year-round youth opera program, expand and strengthen Wheels of Harmony—the nation’s first-ever Indigenous opera education tour—and oversee local school and community partnerships. This is a unique opportunity to build a program from the ground up while making opera accessible to young people, rural communities, and Tribal nations across Montana.

To learn more about the position, visit https://www.operamontana.org/news

Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Veterans Chorus Spotlight 🇺🇸

Jeff Cade – US Navy; E-5 2nd Class Petty Officer; December 1975 - December 1979

Jeff’s favorite memory with the Veterans chorus is singing the National Anthem at Men’s and Women’s Bobcat Basketball Games.

Outside of singing, he enjoys volunteer work with Love In The Name of Christ, The American Legion, Kitchen volunteer at Camp on the Boulder, Trinity Church ministries, camping, 4 wheeling, hunting, fishing, kayaking & rafting.

One lesson from his time in service that continues to guide him is: “Patriotism, Serving our country, our communities, and camaraderie with other Veterans”

He also shares with us what singing with the Veterans Chorus means to him: “I’m thankful for Opera Montana, starting and supporting, the Veterans Chorus! Providing opportunities to share the gift of music in different venues with fellow Veterans. It is great fun and a wonderful way to engage with different groups and organizations in our community. This also gives us another way to continue our service to others.”

Jeff encourages fellow veterans to join, “Camaraderie with fellow Veterans, sharing our love of singing with others, a visible reminder to others that Veterans are continuing to serve our communities in various ways.”

Learn more about our Veterans Chorus here: https://www.operamontana.org/programs/veterans-chorus

# VeteransChorus

SUMMER EVENT 🚨 ☀️

👉Don’t miss Opera Montana at WMPAC presenting A River Runs Through It: Page to Stage event this July!

On Sunday, July 26, WMPAC welcomes Opera Montana for an outdoor preview of its new adaptation of “A River Runs Through It,” hosted at Riverhouse BBQ and Events beside the Gallatin River where parts of the 1992 movie were filmed.

The world premiere of the opera is scheduled for September in Bozeman, and WMPAC’s preview will offer a glimpse into the new performance.

🎟️Get your tickets here: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35512/production/1279240?performanceId=11822022

Veterans Chorus Spotlight 🇺🇸

Frank Johnson – USAF, colonel, 20 years

Frank’s favorite memory with the Veterans chorus is singing at the Belgrade school gymnasium for Veteran's Day.

Outside of singing, he loves to play banjo, sing with his barbershop quartet, do some gardening, skiing, reading, swimming, gymnasium, and walking with his two Irish Setters.

One lesson from his time in service that continues to guide him is: “Rank does not equal personal worth”

He also shares with us what singing with the Veterans Chorus means to him: “It is a welcome opportunity to connect with other veterans in a pleasurable activity.”

Frank encourages fellow veterans to join, “It is fun!”

Learn more about our Veterans Chorus here: https://www.operamontana.org/programs/veterans-chorus

# VeteransChorus