Minnesota Opera

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Mind's Eye Comics this past weekend for our "The Many Deaths of Laila Starr" Offstage event!

We had a great time learning about the process behind creating comic book and graphic novel covers with local illustrator and animator Sishir Bommakanti, then getting creative with covers of our own.

And there’s still time to enter our Cover Contest! Whether you joined us at the workshop or are creating your own cover at home, you can submit your artwork by October 9 for a chance to win tickets to Opening Night. More details at mnopera.org/season/2026-2027/the-many-deaths-of-laila-starr/

Photos by Imani Mansfield

What happens when Death becomes human?

In "The Many Deaths of Laila Starr," Death is let go from her position as Goddess of Death and reincarnated as Laila Starr, a human with a mission to kill the person who will one day invent immortality. But things get complicated when Laila experiences human feelings for the first time. As she encounters love, loss and grief, she begins to see life and death in a new way.

Read the full synopsis and discover the story behind this exciting world premiere at mnopera.org/season/2026-2027/the-many-deaths-of-laila-starr/synopsis/

MN Opera's "The Many Deaths of Laila Starr" takes the stage at the Ordway in St. Paul, October 31-November 8. Get your tickets today at mnopera.org

A closer look at Agni's costume from "The Many Deaths of Laila Starr!"

Step inside the costume shop as the team begins bringing Agni, Executive Assistant to Brahma, to life for the upcoming world premiere.

Follow along as we take you behind the scenes to see how these costumes come together before they make their way to the stage this October.

Costume designs by Oana Botez

Recently, the creative team behind "The Many Deaths of Laila Starr" gathered at Juilliard for a choreography workshop inspired by our upcoming world premiere, led by choreographer Rohit Gijare, stage director Mary Birnbaum, and associate stage director Miriam A. Laube.

Take a look at some of the moments from the incredible workshop!

Photos by Elyse Mertz

Join us for a special costume sale this weekend at the MN Opera Center!

Shop costumes, accessories, and more at low prices. You might even spot pieces from past MN Opera productions including "The Magic Flute," "Thaïs," "Elektra," and "Rigoletto."

Event details:
🧵 Friday, Sept 11 | 5-7pm
Early bird sale for industry and education folks.

🧵 Saturday, Sept 12 | 9am-12pm
Costume sale open to everyone!

🧵 Saturday, Sept 12 | 12:30-2pm
All things must go! Free items available on a first come, first served basis.

📍 MN Opera Center
620 N 1st St
Minneapolis, MN

Free to attend. We accept cash, card, check, and Venmo for payment.

Come find something fun to take home!

Single tickets for our 2026-2027 Season are ON SALE NOW!

Join us and experience opera as it was meant to be—felt deeply, and together.

Planning to attend multiple shows this season? Flexible packages are the perfect way to take advantage of the savings and benefits of a season subscription while balancing the demands of your busy schedule.

Get your tickets and explore the season today at mnopera.org/season/2026-2027/

Join us for our next Stories Sing event! 📚🎵

Stories Sing is an interactive musical program that introduces children ages 0-8 to the magic of opera through live performances, storytelling, and hands-on activities. Participants will hear opera singers perform, create their own mini aria, enjoy a read-aloud story, and play instruments together. It's a fun, engaging musical experience that inspires creativity and invites the whole family to discover the joy of opera.

Next Event Details:
Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 11am
📍 George Latimer Central Library, St. Paul
Free to attend. No registration required.

Learn more at mnopera.org/creative-development/stories-sing-2/

As we approach the world premiere of "The Many Deaths of Laila Starr," MN Opera invites you behind the scenes to see how the costumes for this new production take shape. Working closely with Costume Designer Oana Botez, Costume Director Corinna Bakken recently traveled to New York City in search of fabrics that would help bring the story to life.

Take a look inside the process of finding the perfect fabrics for the costumes you’ll soon see onstage. 🪡✨

Read the full "Behind the Seams" blog now at mnopera.org/season/2026-2027/the-many-deaths-of-laila-starr/behind-the-seams-designing-the-many-deaths-of-laila-starr/

Take a closer look at the visual world of "The Many Deaths of Laila Starr!" 🪷

Enjoy an early glimpse at the scenic renderings and the visual world being created for the production. Swipe through to explore some of the designs and see how they will come to life onstage.

Scenic designs by Mimi Lien

"The Many Deaths of Laila Starr" will be onstage at the Ordway, October 31-November 8. Learn more at mnopera.org/season/2026-2027/the-many-deaths-of-laila-starr/

Take a closer look at the costumes from "The Many Deaths of Laila Starr."

Enjoy a peek inside the costume shop as the team begins bringing Brahma, the CEO of the Gods, to life for the upcoming world premiere.

From costume renderings and fabric selections, follow along as we take you behind the scenes to see how these costumes come together before they make their way onstage!

Costume designs by Oana Botez