Opera Grand Rapids

Our hearts are heavy at Opera Grand Rapids as we remember Lorrie VanderArk. Lorrie and her husband Dave have been long-time OGR patrons, donors, and friends. They were active in Friends of the Opera and founded the VanderArk Piano Fund at OGR. Lorrie truly loved the arts and supported them in West Michigan for decades. We loved Lorrie and will miss her dearly.

Introducing our 2026–27 Season: Unconventional Women ⚡️

This season celebrates women who defy expectations, challenge convention, and leave an unforgettable mark on the world around them. Under the leadership of Guest Artistic Director Cara Consilvio, we’re proud to present a year of bold storytelling and unforgettable music.

From the deeply personal storytelling of Three Decembers and the delightfully audacious Florence Foster Jenkins in Souvenir, to the fiery independence of Bizet’s Carmen, these stories explore resilience, ambition, artistry, and the courage to live life on your own terms.

Join us for a season of bold voices, compelling characters, and extraordinary music.

💫Valarie Beck – Love Letter to Michigan
💫Three Decembers
💫Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins
💫The VanderLaan Prize
💫Carmen

Subscriptions are on sale now. We can’t wait to share this season with you.

CALLING ALL SINGERS! 📣

Opera Grand Rapids invites local artists to submit for the 2026-2027 season casting auditions, taking place on June 19 & 20, 2026 at The Betty Van Andel Opera Center, 1320 E. Fulton Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

We are currently hearing singers to be considered for supporting, comprimari and chorus roles in Carmen, performances on April 30 and May 1, 2027 in DeVos Performance Hall.

Singers must be able to work as a local in the Grand Rapids area. Out of town singers will be considered if they have local housing and transportation, but no travel stipend will be provided.

If you would like to audition, submit your materials to [email protected] by June 7, 11:59pm EST to be considered.

Limited slots are available. For the audition, please prepare at least two operatic selections, with one selection in French. A pianist will be provided. If unable to attend these auditions, but you still wish to be considered, please submit links to video materials (filmed within the last year) for consideration.

And just like that, our 2025–26 season has come to a close. 🦋

Thank you for joining us this past weekend for Madama Butterfly and for supporting a season that celebrated AAPI voices, new collaborations, and powerful storytelling. Under the leadership of Guest Artistic Director Mo Zhou, this production brought together an incredible team of artists whose care, artistry, and lived experiences shaped every moment on stage.

To our audiences, donors, artists, volunteers, and community partners — thank you for showing up for opera in such a meaningful way this season. We truly couldn’t do it without you.

We’re leaving this season feeling grateful, inspired, and excited to welcome you back again soon. 💫

Director: Mo Zhou
Conductor: Judith Yan
Chorus Director: Bill Bokhout
Associate Director: Madeleine Snow .snow
Technical Director: John AC Depres
Japanese Culture and Movement Director: Asuka Morinaga Derfler Repetiteur: Caleb Wenzel@calebwenzelmusic
Scene Design: Chika Shimizu@chikashimizu
Costume Design: Mariko Ohigashi .maringo
Lighting Design: Marie Yokoyama .yokoyama
Wig & Makeup Designer: Alita Lopez
Kimono Dresser: Mayumi Balfour & Kaori Schau

Cast:
Cio-Cio-San: Karen Vuong
Lt. Pinkerton: Eric Taylor
Suzuki: Sophia Maekawa
Sharpless: SeungHyeon Baek
Goro: Taka Komagata
Yamadori/Imperial Commissioner: Yichen Xue
B***e: Robert Robert Feng
Kate Pinkerton: Catherine Gispert

Stage Manager: Brett Finley
Assistant Stage Manager: Patricia Garvey & Emily Holter
Photo Credit: Cory Weaver

Madama Butterfly Opens Tonight! 🦋

We are excited to welcome you to opening weekend at DeVos Performance Hall this Friday and Saturday.

Please review the important information below to help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.


**IMPORTANT**

All seating assignments were sent to patrons through Ticketmaster.

Before arriving at the theater, verify that your digital tickets have come from Ticketmaster with specific seating assignments.

If you are unable to locate your tickets, please search your email inbox before calling the OGR box office.

👉Performance Information
Doors Open: 6:30 PM
House Opens: 7:00 PM
Performance Begins: 7:30 PM

We encourage patrons to arrive early to allow time for parking, security screening, and seating prior to curtain.

📲Mobile Tickets:
Please save your tickets to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet before arriving at the theater. Screenshots will not scan for entry.

If attending with a group, we recommend entering together.

Please review DeVos security information and venue policies. Plan accordingly.

Thank you The Rapidian for the review!

Opera Grand Rapids stages 'Madama Butterfly' Puccini's story of a Japanese girl married and abandoned by an American businessman comes to life again in Opera Grand Rapids' magnificent production.

$5 student tickets are still available for Madama Butterfly! 🎟️

If you’ve been meaning to make it to the opera this season, this is your chance. Join us May 15 & 16 at DeVos Performance Hall for our final mainstage production.

Call our box office to reserve at 616.451.2741 ext3

We asked conductor Judith Yan to share her thoughts on Madama Butterfly, her connection to the work, and what makes this production feel especially meaningful right now.

Swipe to read her reflections ahead of opening weekend. 🎶🦋

Scroll through to explore the fascinating history of Madame Butterfly and the Nagasaki inspiration that shaped this opera. 🗾