Cincinnati Opera and CET have announced plans for “Cincinnati Opera at 100,” an hour-long televised program commemorating Cincinnati Opera’s centennial. Featuring
insights from local and national opera experts and performances by artists from across the country, “Cincinnati Opera at 100” will premiere on CET 48.1 on Friday, July 3 at 9 p.m. EST.

Additional airings will follow on CET Arts 48.3 through Tuesday, July 7.

The nation’s second-oldest opera company, Cincinnati Opera presented its first performance on June 27, 1920, at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, and its annual Summer Festival has become a Cincinnati arts-going tradition.

Though the company’s 100th Anniversary Season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, “Cincinnati Opera at 100” transports the opera-going experience into viewers’ homes, including performances by much-loved singers from recent Cincinnati Opera productions and historical highlights from opera experts.

Performances take place from the artists’ homes as well as iconic locations throughout the city, including the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati Music Hall, and other surprise venues.

“‘Cincinnati Opera at 100’ is a love letter to all who have made this company what it is today,” said Christopher Milligan, general director and CEO.

Major support for Cincinnati Opera at 100 has been provided by Monteverdi Tuscany, a luxury boutique hotel centrally located between Rome and Florence, founded by Cincinnati Opera board member Michael L. Cioffi.

For complete program details for Cincinnati Opera at 100, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

Here’s the lineup:

Featuring performances from home by:

Nicole Cabell, soprano and Craig Terry, piano

Jacqueline Echols, soprano, Matthew White, tenor, and Kevin Miller, piano

Stephen Costello, tenor and Anthony Manoli, piano

Morris Robinson, bass and Matthew Umphreys, piano

Members of the Cincinnati Opera Chorus and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Plus performances at iconic Cincinnati locations by:

Jennifer Cherest, soprano and Henri Venanzi, piano

Joseph Lattanzi, baritone and Marie-France Lefebvre, piano

CSO musicians Stefani Matsuo, concertmaster, and Michael Chertock, piano

Maria Miller, mezzo-soprano, Cincinnati Ballet dancer Samantha Riester, with choreography by Oğulcan Borova, and Carol Walker, piano

Victoria Okafor, soprano and Henri Venanzi, piano

Rodion Pogossov, baritone and Elena Kholodova, piano

Michael Preacely, baritone and Marcellene Winfrey, piano

With commentary by:

Anne Arenstein, arts writer and critic

Cori Ellison, dramaturg and faculty, The Juilliard School

Janelle Gelfand, arts writer and critic

Dan Hurley, historian

Louis Langrée, Music Director, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Thane Maynard, Director, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, Cincinnati Opera

Angela Powell Walker, Artistic Director, School for Creative & Performing Arts, Cincinnati