Opera
Whether your passion lies in performing, directing, conducting, or producing, Roberts Opera Theatre presents the opportunity to bring fully staged operas and opera scenes to life, ranging from the timeless elegance of Baroque and Romantic works to innovative contemporary operas and musical theatre, with an immersive, hands-on experience across every aspect of operatic and musical theatre production.
From the spotlight to behind the scenes, you’ll discover the components of a cohesive and compelling live event that captivates its viewers. You’ll study promotional strategy and audience engagement, as well as the theory, history, and execution of stagecraft, how to design and build sets, plan lighting, coordinate costumes and props, and manage sound.
You’ll also develop real-world skills in marketing, promotion on social media, creating tickets, posters, programs, and advertising materials for live productions. In doing so, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of opera as a multidimensional art form and its influence on broader artistic disciplines.
Whether you dream of a career as a performer, educator, director, or producer, Roberts Opera Theatre equips you with the tools, confidence, and collaborative experience to thrive in today’s performing arts world.
Recent productions include productions of Mozart’s Così fan tutte and The Magic Flute, and Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas, and performances of scene’s from Adamo’s Little Women, Dvořák’s Rusalka, Bernstein’s Candide, and Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore.
Examples of Past Performances
Dido and Aeneas
Roberts Wesleyan University's Department of Music & Performing Arts showcased a captivating production of Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, performed by our talented musical stage and opera students. This Baroque opera brought to life the poignant tale of Dido, Queen of Carthage, and her ill-fated love for the Trojan hero Aeneas.
This production gave students a chance to gain real-world experience in opera performance, from singing and acting to collaboration behind the scenes. It’s part of how Roberts helps students build skills, confidence, and leadership in the arts while exploring their individual calling.
Opera Scenes
Roberts Wesleyan’s Opera Scenes program highlights the talents of our musical stage and opera students in a series of short, dynamic performances. Students perform selected scenes from a variety of operas, giving them the opportunity to explore character, vocal technique, and dramatic expression in an intimate setting.
