News

New to Opera?

If you are new to opera, welcome! We love this exciting and surprising art form, and we’re sure you will too. Join us for a performance next season to see what it’s all about. You don’t need to know anything at all about opera before attending, but if you’d like to find out more, check out the FAQ’s!

For our top three frequently asked questions, watch the video below!

FAQs

How much does it cost?

Opera is cheaper than many people think, with tickets starting from just $20 at Hawai’i Opera Theatre (prices vary by venue).

How long is an opera? 

Most operas are the length of an average film (between two and three hours) but with an intermission – or sometimes two – where you can stretch your legs or get a drink at the bar!

Each opera’s running time is displayed on the relevant webpage for each opera.

Will I be able to understand what is being sung?

Yes! Several of the operas we perform are actually in English translation or in their original language (like Italian, French, or German). But, regardless of the language, all our operas have supertitles (like subtitles in a movie) which means that the text appears on a screen above the stage. As singing takes longer than speaking, your eyes can easily move between the stage and the screen, so you won’t miss any of the action.

The language in which every opera will be performed can be found on the relevant webpage for each opera.

Where should I sit?

That depends on how much you want to spend. Prices are spread throughout the venues, so have a look at each level to see which seats/prices you prefer. You can get a good view and hear everything from nearly all areas of each theatre that we perform in. Book early to get the best seats at the best prices.

What should I wear?

There is no dress code for HOT performances. If you want to dress up and make a special occasion of it, go for it, but aloha shirts are equally welcome. It’s your night; you do you!

 

Do I need to read up beforehand?

There’s no need to prepare before you show up, although a quick glance through the plot synopsis (you’ll find one on the webpage for each opera) is always handy.

We also provide a digital program book before each show and the same printed book at each performance. The program includes a summary of the plot, artist bios, director’s notes, and a little about HOT’s history!

Is there any opera etiquette I need to follow?

As with all live theatre, just be sensitive to the people around you. We ask that phones are on silent and put away during the performance. Filming is prohibited, but you are welcome to take photos before the start, during intermission, and during the applause at the end. Even better, tag us afterward on Instagram and tell us about your opera experience!

If you’re not sure when to clap, take the cue from others around you. Usually, people applaud before the start when the conductor takes their place on the podium in the orchestra pit. Also, applause often happens at the end of an act, or after a particularly spectacular solo or duet. If you like what you hear, don’t be afraid to let the artist know!

What will it sound like?

Opera singers do not use microphones, as their voices are trained to project over a full orchestra. This means that there is no barrier between the performer’s voice and the audience, making opera a unique experience. The live orchestra itself, which can be up to 60 players (depending on the piece), provides an extra thrill.

What else can I expect from an opera?

– Opera deals with all kinds of human experiences – it can surprise people how relevant opera can feel, whether the piece was written last week or 100 years ago.

– It’s perfect for people who love experiencing emotion in its rawest form. Nowadays, opera singers are also talented actors, so you can become fully immersed in all the drama.

– ‘Opera’ is as broad a genre as ‘film’ – there’s comedy, tragedy, thrillers, and everything in between. Each season, we program various pieces, so there is something for everyone. Check out our 23/24 season page to learn more about the upcoming shows!

Intrigued? Want to see a show for 50% off?

If you’re new to HOT, we’d like to offer you a special promo code that can be used online or in our box office. Simply mention “NEWBIE” at checkout to receive your first opera for less!

Audition for Orvis Young Voices!

 
 

Hawai’i Opera Theatre’s Orvis Young Voices Studio

Audition window for the 2022/2023 program is still open!

This program is open to high school singers living in the state of Hawai’i. Those selected will have the opportunity to work with professionals in opera and the performing arts to hone their skills as performers. Participants will perform and learn from HOT staff and guest artists and each other in masterclass format, learn about professional opera performances, and participate in workshops for acting, diction, and interpretation. Classes are led by Hawai’i Opera Theatre staff, and guest artists and clinicians locally and from the mainland.

Hurry, applications are due May 31!


Questions?

Please contact us at: education@hawaiiopera.org

Gianni Schicchi

Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

The final offering for the mainstage season is Puccini’s only comic opera, Gianni Schicchi. This hilarious one-act farce is filled with ridiculous plans, hijinks, and trickery. It is the perfect opera for first-timers, and even though it’s brief, it’s delightfully entertaining. This one-act romp stars a world-class cast including local favorites Blythe Kelsey, Leslie Goldman, and Robert Feng, baritone Joshua Jeremiah in the title role with soprano Toni Marie Palmertree and tenor Brian Vu, led by conductor Mark Morash and director Gregory Keller. 

The Elixir of Love

Don’t miss Donizetti’s charming comedy, The Elixir of Love, sung in a witty English translation. This heartwarming comedy hits the stage just in time for Valentine’s Day when a worker falls in love with a beautiful farm owner. HOT’s production is perfectly set in present-day Hawai‘i in a quaint town outside a sugar cane farm.

The Elixir of Love
Friday, February 17 | 7:30 pm
Sunday, February 19 | 4:00 pm

All performances at the Blaisdell Concert Hall
Sung in English with English supertitles
Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes with 1 intermission

Blythe: One Name, One Night… back by popular demand!

Saturday, February 25, 2023 6:00 PM

A HOT local favorite, Blythe Kelsey, is featured in an intimate performance singing powerhouse tunes of great female artists known by one name. Think Adele, Whitney, Ella, & Dolly. With the one and only Alpin Hong. Enjoy light pupus and mingle with Blythe herself after the show.  Doors open at 5:30 PM. Cocktail Attire.
21+ | $100 and Cocktails included

HOT School Tour of Pirates of Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance | February 11

The Pirates of Penzance | Family Day at the Opera
Saturday, February 11th at 11 AM | Blaisdell Concert Hall
FREE and open to the public!

Catch a 45-minute comic opera that’s packed full of sentimental pirates, blundering policemen, absurd adventures, and improbable paradoxes! “The Pirates of Penzance” is performed by HOT’s Education Team with an introduction by Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus! For more info, call (808) 683-7205.