(Denver, CO = Won Jeong) Opera Colorado will raise the curtain on its 2025–26 season with Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, one of the most beloved and enduring operas in history. The production opens on November 1 and runs for four performances—November 1, 4, 7, and 9—at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, marking a major milestone both for the company and its iconic home.
This season heralds a new beginning for Opera Colorado under Barbara Lynne Jamison, who assumed her post as Ellie Caulkins General Director & CEO in August. It also celebrates Music Director Ari Pelto’s 10th anniversary with the company, alongside the 20th anniversary of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, which has been Opera Colorado’s stage since 2005.
“This is a season about listening to our community and investing in the art that connects us all,” says Jamison. “La Traviata is a timeless story of love, sacrifice, and the human spirit, told through some of Verdi’s most glorious music. I can’t think of a more powerful way to begin this next era for Opera Colorado.”
A Beloved Story Returns to Denver
Set in 19th-century Paris, La Traviata follows Violetta Valéry, a brilliant and tragic courtesan who dares to choose love over wealth and social status. Her romance with Alfredo Germont, and the intervention of his father Giorgio Germont, unravel into one of opera’s most poignant stories of love and loss.
The production brings together a dynamic cast: soprano Sara Gartland returns to Opera Colorado after her acclaimed performance in Korngold’s Die tote Stadt, this time taking on the emotionally demanding role of Violetta. Tenor Ben Reisinger makes his company debut as Alfredo, while baritone Weston Hurt also joins Opera Colorado for the first time as Giorgio Germont.
At the podium, Ari Pelto conducts Verdi’s sweeping score as he embarks on his tenth season with Opera Colorado. Pelto’s leadership over the past decade has been central to the company’s musical growth and artistic identity. His interpretation of Verdi—balanced between passion and precision—is expected to bring both grandeur and intimacy to the production.
A Double Anniversary: Company and Venue
This season is not only a new beginning for Jamison’s directorship but also a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, affectionately known to Denver audiences as “The Ellie.” Since opening its doors in 2005, the venue has become the cultural heartbeat of the city’s performing arts scene, hosting everything from world-class opera to ballet, symphonic concerts, and Broadway tours.
Opera Colorado has called The Ellie its home for two decades—a partnership that has elevated both the company and the venue to national recognition. The upcoming La Traviata will serve as the opening note to a yearlong celebration honoring this legacy, with special programs and community events planned throughout the season.
“Though the story is set nearly 200 years ago, it speaks to themes we wrestle with today,” Jamison notes. “How do we balance love, freedom, family, and societal expectations? La Traviata is a mirror that helps us better understand ourselves.”
Expanding Access: Pay What You Wish
In line with Jamison’s emphasis on accessibility and community engagement, Opera Colorado will launch an expanded Pay What You Wish program for La Traviata. Building on the success of a pilot program introduced last season, a limited number of tickets will be available for as little as $10 per performance.
The initiative aims to remove barriers for new audiences while encouraging wider participation in Denver’s growing opera community. Full-priced tickets start at $46, including taxes and fees—keeping grand opera within reach for both first-time attendees and long-time fans.
“Opera should belong to everyone,” Jamison says. “We want people to experience this art form not as something distant or exclusive, but as something vibrant, emotional, and deeply human. La Traviata embodies that perfectly.”
A Powerful Start to a New Chapter
As the orchestra swells and the first notes of Verdi’s famous “Brindisi” echo through the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Opera Colorado will not only open a new season but also affirm its commitment to artistic excellence and community connection.
With a fresh vision under Barbara Lynne Jamison, a milestone year for Ari Pelto, and two decades of history at The Ellie, La Traviata stands as both a tribute to the past and a confident step toward the future of opera in Denver.
Performance Schedule:
Saturday, November 1 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 4 – 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 7 – 7:30 p.m. Sunday, November 9 – 2:00 p.m. Venue: Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver, CO