For its 105th anniversary this summer, June 12-July 27, 2025, Cincinnati Opera will present the all-time favorite musical, “Fiddler on the Roof,” in a new production. The season also will include Verdi’s “Rigoletto” and Puccini’s “Tosca.” The 2025 Summer Festival, which will feature acclaimed casts, will include the return of the popular Studio Sessions, intimate, artist-curated concerts presented cabaret-style. All performances are in Cincinnati’s Music Hall.

This will also mark Evans Mirageas‘ 20th season as Cincinnati Opera’s artistic director.

Rigoletto — The festival opens with “Rigoletto” on June 12 and 14 in Music Hall. Singing the title role is baritone Michael Chioldi, who enjoyed recent successes as Rigoletto at The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, and Austin Opera, where his baritone has been widely praised.

His daughter, Gilda, will be sung by soprano Kathryn Lewek, of whom the New York Times said, “Singing like Lewek’s is what the magic of opera is all about.” Appearing as the Duke of Mantua is Zach Borichevsky, who was praised as possessing a “tenor [with] a magical brilliance that brought goosebumps” (Music City Review). As the assassin Sparafucile, Cincinnati Opera Artistic Advisor Morris Robinson (and Cincinnati favorite) brings his “booming, focused bass” that lends “chilling effectiveness” (ArtsATL) to the role.

This new-to-Cincinnati production from The Atlanta Opera, originally directed by Tomer Zvulun, features scenic design by John Conklin, costume design by Vita Tzykun, lighting design by Thomas C. Hase, and hair and makeup design by James Geier. John Fiore will conduct the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Henri Venanzi will lead the Cincinnati Opera Chorus.

Tosca — “Tosca” will be June 26 and 28 in Music Hall. Following her extraordinary company debut as Cio-Cio-San in Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 production of Madame Butterfly, soprano Karah Son returns to Music Hall to sing the title role. Matthew White returns to Cincinnati Opera to make his role debut as Cavaradossi. Appearing as Scarpia is baritone Anthony Clark Evans, who most recently moved Cincinnati audiences with his affecting portrayal of Germont in the company’s 2024 production of La Traviata.

Cincinnati Opera will revive its celebrated production of Tosca featuring stage direction by Jose Maria Condemi, scenic and costume design by Robert Perdziola, lighting design by Thomas C. Hase, and hair and makeup design by James Geier. Conductor Clelia Cafiero makes her U.S. debut leading the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Henri Venanzi directs the Cincinnati Opera Chorus.

Fiddler on the Roof –– You know the story: Winner of nine Tony Awards, Fiddler on the Roof tells the story of Tevye, a milkman in a small Russian village, who struggles to uphold his family’s traditions in a rapidly changing world.

This will be Cincinnati Opera’s own production, and this one will have dancers from Cincinnati Ballet.

“Fiddler on the Roof has been a global sensation since its Broadway premiere in 1964,” said Evans Mirageas. “We believe this piece is perfectly suited for the operatic stage. With its sweeping symphonic score, richly crafted roles, and emotional depth, it’s a natural fit for the talents of our extraordinary cast, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera Chorus, and Cincinnati Ballet. Our production will give this classic new life, celebrating its vibrancy and universality.”

It’s not the first time an opera company has mounted this musical. The Barrie Kosky staging if Fiddler on the Roof at Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2022 received rave reviews.

Cincinnati will mount it in four shows, July 23, 25, 26 and 27. The Sunday performance is a matinee at 3 p.m.

East Berlin-born Max Hopp will make his U.S. debut as Tevye, a role he has performed to acclaim in Europe. Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Victoria Livengood makes her company debut as Golde, Tevye’s wife. Their daughters, Tzeitel, Hodel, and Chava, will be sung by sopranos Rachel Kobernick, Rachel Blaustein, and Jennifer Zetlan. The cast also includes mezzo-soprano Janice Mayerson as Yente, baritone Simon Barrad as Perchik, and vocalist Sarah Folsom as Fruma Sarah.

Cincinnati Opera’s new production will be directed by Crystal Manich and will feature scenic design by Andrew Boyce, costume design by Chad Phillips, lighting design by Thomas C. Hase, hair and makeup design by James Geier, and choreography by Michael Pappalardo, featuring dancers from Cincinnati Ballet. Levi Hammer will conduct the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Henri Venanzi will lead the Cincinnati Opera Chorus.

Studio Sessions will be presented in Wilks Studio at Music Hall on June 17, July 10 and July 17, all at 8 p.m.  The artists and their programs will be announced later.

Full season casting and community programming for the 2025 Summer Festival will be shared in early 2025.

Subscriptions for Cincinnati Opera’s 2025 Summer Festival are now available and start at $105. Tickets to individual performances go on sale April 1, 2025, and start at $36.

Discounts are available for seniors, educators, U.S. veterans and active military personnel, full-time students, ArtsWave ArtsPass members, and SNAP cardholders.

For more information, visit cincinnatiopera.org or contact the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742.