FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Megan Ihnen, Director of External Communications
Website: www.operabaltimore.org
Baltimore, MD — January 8, 2026 — At a time when many performing arts institutions are struggling to fill seats, Opera Baltimore is facing a different challenge: its upcoming production of Lucrezia Borgia is almost sold out. But it’s the Wednesday night performance, not the weekend, that’s drawing the most attention—thanks to an experimental audience-building program aimed at first-time operagoers.
Opera Aperitif, now in its third season, is Opera Baltimore’s low-barrier, high-hospitality initiative designed to welcome newcomers into a historically exclusive art form. Pairing wine tastings and private mansion tours with a live concert opera, the March 4 event offers a unique story of cultural access, arts innovation, and local audience development.
“We’re seeing an appetite for opera that goes far beyond the places or people most would expect,” said Julia Cooke, President and General Director of Opera Baltimore. “This initiative focuses on making sure that our first-timers get the best night out.”
Unlike traditional subscriber-heavy performances, the Wednesday night Lucrezia Borgia is intentionally geared toward newcomers. Participants must be first-time guests to attend Opera Aperitif. The company also reserves additional seats through its Generation Opera program, which pairs adult patrons with local students for a shared live opera experience.
Press are invited to attend Opera Aperitif on March 4, 2026.
Highlights include:
- A brief talk by opera scholar Dr. Aaron Ziegel demystifying the plot and performance
- A complimentary wine tasting and historic mansion tour inside the Engineers Club
- A rare local performance of Donizetti’s Lucrezia Borgia, featuring soprano Caitlin Crabill in the title role, Hayden Smith as Gennaro, Megan Marino as Maffio Orsini, and Samuel Weiser as Duke Alfonso, with conductor Husan Chun-Novak at the piano. The production marks the directorial debut at Opera Baltimore for acclaimed soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams, the company’s Imasogie Executive Apprentice.
With Baltimore’s cultural institutions still recovering from pandemic-era audience losses, Opera Baltimore’s sell-through rates—and its expanding base of younger, first-time patrons—present a compelling counter-narrative. In the 2024–2025 season, over 20% of ticket buyers were new to the company, and entry-level engagement programs like Opera Aperitif are central to that success.
“This isn’t a shtick,” said Cooke. “It’s about removing the intimidation factor. We want people to know there’s a seat for them – and sometimes, that seat comes with a glass of wine.”
Performance Info:
Lucrezia Borgia
Wednesday, March 4 at 7:30 PM
Engineers Club at the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion
11 W Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore, MD
Opera Aperitif begins at 6:30 PM, Free Pre-Opera lecture at 7pm
Media RSVPs: megan@operabaltimore.org
About Opera Baltimore
Opera Baltimore is the city’s home for world-class opera, dedicated to presenting compelling performances, community engagement, and educational initiatives that bring opera to audiences of all backgrounds. With a commitment to artistic excellence and accessibility, Opera Baltimore continues to grow as a vital part of the city’s cultural landscape.
For tickets and more information, visit www.operabaltimore.org.