gold concert sponsor
SILVER ARTIST SPONSORS
Glenn & Kathy Ward
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
Step into a world of passion, drama, and breathtaking beauty as we present “A Night at the Opera”—an unforgettable evening celebrating the most beloved and iconic moments from the operatic stage.
From heart-wrenching arias to triumphant duets, this concert features highlights from timeless masterpieces by Puccini, Verdi, Mozart, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned opera lover or a curious newcomer, this program promises to stir the soul and ignite the imagination.
Featuring Guest Soloists, Donata Cucinotta (soprano) and John Riesen (tenor), these acclaimed artists bring their extraordinary talents to the stage, breathing life into the music with emotional depth and vocal brilliance.
Also featuring the West Michigan Opera Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing unprecedented workshop and performance opportunities to singers of all ages and is dedicated to education outreach, as well as community enrichment.
Join us for a night where music transcends time, and the magic of opera takes center stage!
Featured Guests
Donata Cucinota, Soprano
praised for her “fiery soprano” and “jaw-dropping” performances
John Riesen, Tenor
hailed as “every inch the hero in stature and voice” with a “vibrant” and “impassioned” tone
tickets
Adult – $40 Zone A | $24 Zone B
Youth* – $20 Zone A | $12 Zone B
Processing fees included in price.
*Youth – ages 6-17 years
SAT. OCTOBER 4, 2025
EVENT SCHEDULE
6:00 PM – Doors open
6:30 PM – FREE Pre-Concert Conversation with Maestro Aubin (30 min)
7:30 PM – Concert (90 min)
Program Schedule
A free 30-minute pre-concert conversation with Maestro Matthew Aubin that delves into the concert’s featured musical works and composers. Affectionately called in-house as “Matt Chats,” these short sessions always enhance the evening’s experience for concert-goers. This special feature is available prior to each classical concert.
Musicians will already be on stage making a flurry of sound as they fine tune instruments and warm up with last minute practice of musical snippets or scales.
Signaling the start of the concert, a representative from the Symphony will come out on stage to welcome and greet our guests and thank our sponsors and supporters before turning the stage over to our Concertmaster, Musicians, and Conductor.
National Anthem
WOLFGANG A. MOZART | Overture to Marriage of Figaro
GEORGE BIZET | “Danse Boheme” from Carmen
GEORGE BIZET | “Votre toast je peux vous le rendre” from Carmen
GEORGE BIZET | “Seguidilla” from Carmen
GEORGE BIZET | “La fleur que tu m’avais jetee” (Flower Song) from Carmen
GEORGE BIZET | “Habanera” from Carmen
GIACOMO PUCCINI | “Vissi d’arte” from Tosca
GIACOMO PUCCINI | “Nessun Dorma and Finale” from Turandot
INTERMISSION
GIOACHINO ROSSINI | Overture to the Barber of Seville
GIUSEPPE VERDI | “La donna è mobile” from Rigoletto
RICHARD WAGNER | “Dich, teure Halle” from Tannhäuser
RICHARD WAGNER | “Pilgrim’s chorus” from Tannhäuser
RICHARD WAGNER | “Heil! Der Gnade Wunder Heil” from Tannhäuser
ANTONIN DVOŘÁK | “Rusalka’s Song to the Moon” from Rusalka
AUGUSTIN LARA | Granada
GIUSEPPE VERDI | “Brindisi” from La Traviata
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