From TOLEDO OPERA
Toledo Opera’s 67th season promises to be a thrilling exploration of passion, potion, and love’s pursuit, featuring two iconic productions: “Carmen” and “The Elixir of Love.” These timeless works offer audiences an unforgettable journey through desire, deception, and destiny, brought to life with breathtaking music and riveting storytelling.
“We are thrilled to announce a season filled with passion, romance, and timeless music,” shared Toledo Opera general director James M. Norman. “As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of ‘Carmen,’ we honor Bizet’s masterpiece with a production that highlights its enduring drama and fiery spirit. Paired with Donizetti’s ‘The Elixir of Love,’ a heartwarming tale of love and laughter, this season promises to captivate both longtime opera lovers and new audiences alike. We invite the community to join us for a season of unforgettable performances that showcase the power and beauty of opera.”
Shared Toledo Opera artistic director, Kevin Bylsma: “With the evocative music of Bizet and the lyrical gift of Donizetti in our 2025-2026 season, Toledo Opera is poised to offer Northwest Ohio world-class performances of two masterpieces from the operatic canon.”
For the first time, Toledo Opera is launching Opera Unlimited – an all-new, enhanced subscription package designed to offer an unparalleled experience for opera lovers. This package includes season tickets to both “Carmen” and “The Elixir of Love” at a bundled discount, along with all-access experiences such as behind-the-scenes events, artist meet-and-greets, and insider content. Opera Unlimited allows audiences to immerse themselves in the magic of live opera like never before.
Enhanced subscription packages, standard subscriptions, and single tickets are available for purchase now at toledoopera.org or by phone at 419-255-7464. To learn more about the season, visit toledoopera.org
2025-26 Season Schedule
“Carmen” by Georges Bizet
Oct. 10 & 12
Valentine Theatre
Bizet’s sizzling epic of dark passion, Carmen,tells the story of a fierce woman who lives life on her own terms – and the men who can’t let her go. Don José, a soldier drawn into her orbit, abandons everything for Carmen’s love, only to find himself consumed by jealousy when her attentions shift to the dashing bullfighter, Escamillo. With its twisting tale of romance, deceit, and disaster set to magnetic melodies, Bizet’s masterpiece, Carmen, has become one of the world’s most celebrated operas. Featuring some of the most popular music to ever grace the opera stage, Carmen brings every aspect of Bizet’s thrilling tale to life, from its tantalizing beginning to its devastating climax. Under the baton of Adam Turner (Toledo Opera’s Il Trovatore and Roméo & Juliet), Toledo Opera’s vibrant original production is not to be missed.
Carmen stars mezzo-soprano Taylor Raven as Carmen, tenor Brendan Boyle (Toledo Opera’s Tosca and Ragtime) as Don José, and baritone Joshua Jeremiah (Toledo Opera’s Ragtime)
Sung in French with English Captions
“The Elixir of Love” by Gaetano Donizetti
Feb. 13 & 15
Valentine Theatre
Spend Valentine’s Day weekend immersed in the laughter and romance of Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love. When the shy and smitten Nemorino’s dream of winning the strong-willed Adina’s heart seems out of reach, he turns to a traveling purveyor of patent medicines in search of a love potion. After drinking every last drop, he sets off a cascade of comedic chaos. This heartwarming comedy embodies all the richness of Donizetti’s artistry and is simply too good to keep bottled up. Featuring laugh-out-loud moments and touching romance, this original, heartwarming comedy sparkles with wit and whimsy. Presented for the first time in over a decade, The Elixir of Love comes to life in a new production brought to life by conductor J. Ernest Green (Toledo Opera’s South Pacific, Ragtime, and The Merry Widow).
The Elixir of Love stars tenor David Walton (Toledo Opera’s Cinderella) as Nemorino, soprano Marnie Breckenridge as Adina, and baritone Jason Budd (Toledo Opera’s Tosca, Cinderella, and The Merry Widow)as Dr. Dulcamara
Sung in Italian with English Captions.
