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.
Past Concerts

Friday, March 7, 2025 | 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."

Friday, February 14, 2025 | 7:00pm - 9:00pm
​ at Grisham Hall at St. Anne's-Belfield

From New York with Love

Peter Kendall Clark, baritone and Molly Mustonen, soprano
A Valentine's concert of favorites from the Golden Age of Broadway and the American Songbook including numbers from Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, Show Boat, The Most Happy Fella, She Loves Me, Into The Woods, Follies, Company, The Secret Garden, and more!
​Peter Kendall Clark is a true ‘crossover’ baritone whose repertoire spans contemporary and traditional opera, musical theater and concert works. He is thrilled to be returning to Charlottesville Opera, where he was last seen as Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, and King Arthur in Camelot.
Molly Mustonen is delighted to make her Charlottesville Opera debut! Hailed by The New York Times for her “powerful sound and striking stage presence,” actor-soprano Molly Mustonen continues to garner critical acclaim throughout the United States and Europe for her “strong singing and acting” (Huffington Post) and versatility across stage, screen and all genres of music.

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.