Charlottesville Opera invites real life operatic couples and partners to share their favorite duets and solos in a new concert series beginning in the Fall of 2024. Local collaborative pianist Jeremy Thompson accompanies in the brilliant acoustical space of First Presbyterian Church.

Friday, October 18, 2024 | 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Jeni Houser, soprano & David Blalock, tenor

David Blalock has become a regular at the Metropolitan Opera where last season he covered the role of Pong in Turandot and in the previous season sang the role of Gastone in La Traviata. He also regularly appears with Madison Opera, Opera Tampa, and Opera Columbus. Jeni Houser returns to The Metropolitan Opera this December as The Queen of the Night for the family performances of Die Zauberflote. She also recently performed this role with Los Angeles Opera and Dallas Opera. She made her international debut at the Wiener Staatsopera in 2018 where she was invited to stay for two additional productions. 

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 | 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Caroline Worra, soprano & Leanne Clement, mezzo

Caroline Worra has been hailed by Opera News as "one of the finest singing actresses around." She has sung over 90 roles from over 70 operas including 20 World, American, and Regional Premieres. She remains a favorite among current composers to workshop their new works and interpret challenging characters in world premieres. Leanne Clement makes her Charlottesville Opera singing debut with this concert. Her previous roles include the dramatic mezzo-soprano repertoire of Verdi and Wagner, as well as supporting and character roles in a wide variety of opera and musical theater performances.

Friday, February 14, 2024 | 7:00pm - 9:00pm
​ at St. Anne's Belfield

Katherine Henly, soprano & Jack Swanson, tenor

Katherine Henly makes her Metropolitan Opera debut in the Fall of 2024 in Osvaldo Golijov's Ainadamar. Earlier in 2024, she also made her Carnegie Hall debut and stepped in to rave reviews for Heartbeat Opera's The Extinctionist. Katherine was previously an emerging artist with Charlottesville Opera and returned as a principal in 2022 as Valencienne in The Merry Widow. This season, Jack Swanson performs his signature role of Count Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Siviglia at The Metropolitan Opera (debut), the Rossini Opera Festival, and Arena di Verona. Last season, he debuted at Lyric Opera of Chicago and Houston Grand Opera. His high notes have been described as "lusciously sweet" and "strong."

Friday, March 7, 2024 | 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Keith Phares, baritone & Katherine Pracht Phares, mezzo

For over 20 years, in repertoire from Baroque through present day, Keith Phares has appeared in leading roles with Washington National Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Seattle Opera, the New York City Opera, Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and elsewhere. His singing has been described as "bright and beautifully nuanced." Keith performed as Sky Masterson with Charlottesville Opera in 2023. Katherine Pracht has established herself as a leading opera-singing actress, performing with prominent companies such as Virginia Opera, Central City Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Opera Philadelphia, Florentine Opera, Madison Opera, West Edge Opera, and Opera on the Avalon (Newfoundland). She has sung over 30 roles composed after 1945, including the 2023 world premiere of Laura Kaminsky's and Lisa Moore’s February. Her performances have been characterized as "lustrous singing with a quicksilvery theatrical temperament."