Opera in the Park

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© Fay Fox

A close-up of Katerina Burton.

Katerina Burton

Sadly, last year’s Opera in the Park, Madison Opera’s beloved free outdoor concert, was rained out even on its rain date, and never took place at all. Hope for better weather this year for this great introduction to opera for everyone, in a convenient west-side park — bring your own seating and of course, snacks! This year’s performance “spans centuries and continents, from Handel to Sondheim,” according to the company’s press release, and features three of the soloists scheduled in 2023 — soprano Katerina Burton, mezzo-soprano Emily Fons, and baritone Weston Hurt — along with tenor Joshua Sanders. Read Dan Koehn's preview here. For more info visit madisonopera.org/oitp24; rain date is July 21.

media release: Madison Opera’s Opera in the Park returns on Saturday, July 20, at 8pm in Garner Park on Madison’s West Side.  A Madison summer tradition since 2002, the free concert of opera and Broadway favorites draws audience members from across Wisconsin and beyond to pack a picnic, gather friends, and share a beautiful night of music under the stars.

Opera in the Park 2024 stars soprano Katerina Burton, mezzo-soprano Emily Fons, tenor Joshua Sanders and baritone Weston Hurt.  Burton will make her Madison Opera debut at the concert, and will join the company as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni in May 2025.  Fons sang Rosina in The Barber of Seville with Madison Opera, a role she has recently sung for Santa Fe Opera and Cincinnati Opera, and will return to the company’s mainstage as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni next spring.  Sanders made his debut with Madison Opera while still a High School Apprentice in 2011’s La Traviata; the past year has seen him singing with Nashville Opera, Opera San Jose, and the Metropolitan Opera. Hurt sang an acclaimed Germont in La Traviata with Madison Opera in 2019; other recent credits include Arizona Opera and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

The four soloists are joined by the Madison Opera Chorus and Madison Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John DeMain. The evening is hosted by Madison Opera’s General Director Kathryn Smith and WKOW-TV’s Wake Up Wisconsin co-anchor Mark Charter.

The repertoire at Opera in the Park 2024 spans centuries and continents, from Handel to Sondheim.  Madison Opera’s upcoming 24/25 season is highlighted with selections from Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Piazzolla’s María de Buenos Aires, and Mozart's Don Giovanni. The program also features pieces from Don Carlo, The Elixir of Love, Tosca, La Clemenza di Tito, Into the Woods, My Fair Lady, and more. As always, this spectacular evening will include one number conducted by the audience with light sticks.

Weather Policy: We will decide no later than 5pm on Saturday if we need to postpone the concert due to the weather. We will post notifications on our website and social media, and send them out via email. The rain date is Sunday, July 21 at 8pm.

Pick the Perfect Spot and Bring a Picnic: Garner Park opens at 7am tomorrow for you to lay out a blanket or tarp. You can also arrive ten minutes before the concert and still get a great spot!

Blankets, chairs, food, and beverages (including beer and wine) are allowed. Ice cream, soft drinks, and water will be available for sale.

Traffic and General Parking: The roads around Garner Park, particularly Mineral Point Road, have ongoing construction, including lane closures. Please allow extra time, and be patient with traffic issues.

General parking is available at University Research Park and TruStage (formerly CUNA); entrances are off of Mineral Point Road. Signs are posted and police and Opera in the Park volunteers will be on hand to direct patrons.

Accessible Parking: For patrons with limited mobility, there is a drop-off point on Rosa Road at the Garner Park walking path. Ask the traffic officer at Rosa Road for access to the drop-off point, and they will let you through.

There is accessible parking on Rosa Road, Driftwood Ave., and South Hill Drive west of Rosa Road. Golf carts are available to transport patrons with limited mobility before and after the performance. Ask an Opera in the Park volunteer for golf cart transport.

Get the Official Merch: In addition to light sticks, we offer flashing rings, glowing necklaces, and glow-in-the-dark frisbees. Don't forget to pick up this summer's commemorative Opera in the Park t-shirt, designed by Taylor Renée Horne, which features a favorite Garner Park landmark. You can also treat your sweet tooth with Chocolate Shoppe ice cream and soft drinks.

Enter the Opera in the Park Raffle and support this free concert!  1st Prize: $2,000; 2nd Prize: $1,000; 3rd Prize: Madison Opera Season Subscription for Two Raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $25. All proceeds benefit Opera in the Park. New this year, the raffle is being sold online only; no physical tickets will be available. The raffle will be drawn electronically at 12noon on Monday, July 22, 2024. Tickets may be purchased anytime before 10am on July 22.

Buy a raffle ticket

Opera in the Park is only possible thanks to generous support from members of our community, including you.

Help us keep great music accessible to all by making a gift to the Opera in the Park Fund. Any donation you make before August 31 will be matched by generous anonymous friends of Madison Opera, up to $20,000. This will double your gift’s impact and help ensure Opera in the Park delights generations to come.