CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. — Chautauqua Opera Company today unveils program plans for the 2021 season, including two mainstage productions at the open-air Performance Pavilion on Pratt Avenue, and an enhanced commitment to new works through the celebrated Composer-in-Residence program and a new Composer Fellows program.

The mainstage performances highlight the versatility of Chautauqua Opera Company through new productions of Derrick Wang’s Scalia/Ginsburg and (Working Title): A Company Developed Piece. The 2021 repertoire responds to the issues of the day and the challenges of performing live in what everyone hopes will be the final months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Planning for the 2021 season has focused on how we can assure the safety of our company and audience. There have been many difficult decisions to make and, unfortunately, reductions in the number of artists and production personnel we can engage. Nonetheless, I am pleased that we will still give seven mainstage performances (compared to nine in 2019), and we are looking to 2022 for the return of our full company,” said Steven Osgood, general and artistic director of Chautauqua Opera Company.

On April 28, Chautauqua Opera held their third online preview event for the 2020 Season, which they are calling Opera Chats. This conversation featured Steven Osgood (General and Artistic Director) and Sarah Ina Meyers (stage director) talking about the opera Tosca.

On April 14, Chautauqua Opera held their second of four online preview events for the 2020 Season, which they are calling Opera Chats. This conversation featured Steven Osgood (General and Artistic Director), Omer Ben Seadia (stage director), Kamala Sankaram (composer) and Susan Yankowitz (librettist) talking about the opera Thumbprint. Two more Opera Chats are scheduled during April and May, and more information can be found at chq.org/opera-chats. 

On March 24, Chautauqua Opera held their first of four online preview events for the 2020 Season, which they are calling Opera Chats. The first conversation featured Steven Osgood, General and Artistic Director, and Keturah Stickann, stage director, talking about the opera The Mother of Us All, by Virgil Thomson and Gertrude Stein. Three more Opera Chats are scheduled during April and May, and more information can be found at chq.org/opera-chats.