Community Calendar

Bizet’s Carmen is a tale as irresistible as its heroine. Carmen is bold, magnetic, and fiercely independent—living life on her own terms in sultry Seville. When the soldier Don José falls for her, desire quickly turns to obsession. Add in the swagger of star bullfighter Escamillo, a touch of jealousy, and one of the most iconic scores in opera history—and you've got an electrifying evening at the theatre.

A masterpiece of operatic drama and unforgettable music—including the iconic Habanera and Toreador Song—Carmen kicks off our Masters of Mischief season with a thrilling tale of passion, freedom, and fatal consequences.

Sung in French with projected English translations.

This year’s Couture Opera experience invites you into a world of shadows, silhouettes, and surprise. The Art of Deception is Knoxville Opera’s most provocative evening yet—an immersive night where illusion reigns and elegance takes unexpected form. Hosted at a new, undisclosed location revealed only to guests, this intimate, fashion-forward event has limited capacity.

Expect the unexpected: a designer runway show styled by Grow, a Shane Archer Concept; a live vocalist and ensemble creating a moody sonic landscape; a roving illusionist who bends perception through close-up sleight of hand; and cocktails crafted with drama and precision. Guests can adorn themselves in luxury from the Velvet Vault by Markman’s and capture their mystique through elegant silhouette portraits—available as timeless keepsakes.
Proceeds support Knoxville Opera’s artistic and educational programming, making this evening of distortion and design a celebration with real impact.

Tickets available to the public on October 6th.

Dress Code: Shadows & Illusion
Black and white. Metallics. Bold structure. Unexpected elegance.

Think sculptural silhouettes, graphic stripes, and dramatic contrasts. Gowns or suits should play with sharp lines, light and shadow, or reflective textures. Architectural shapes, sleek tailoring, and surreal detail are encouraged.

This is high fashion with a twist — polished, mysterious, and made to turn heads.

An evening of new music by UT College of Music Composition Faculty Jorge Variego. With:

Jorge Variego (clarinet and compositions)
Miroslav Hristov (violin)
Evie Chen (violin)
Hillary Herndon (viola)
Wesley Baldwin (cello)
Luis Angel Gutierrez Ripalda (double bass)

Free and open to the public.

Featuring the iconic “Figaro, Figaro, Figaro!” aria that’s become a pop-culture staple, this opera brims with rapid-fire wit, unforgettable music, and comedic twists at every turn. Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia is a riotous romp of disguise, deception, and delight.

Meet Figaro—Seville’s most famous barber and mischief-maker—who’s always one step ahead with a plan (and a punchline). When young Count Almaviva falls for the clever and charming Rosina, it’s up to Figaro to outwit her scheming guardian and make true love triumph. A centerpiece of our Masters of Mischief season, The Barber of Seville proves that a sharp blade and a sharper mind can conquer just about anything.

Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

Featuring the iconic “Figaro, Figaro, Figaro!” aria that’s become a pop-culture staple, this opera brims with rapid-fire wit, unforgettable music, and comedic twists at every turn. Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia is a riotous romp of disguise, deception, and delight.

Meet Figaro—Seville’s most famous barber and mischief-maker—who’s always one step ahead with a plan (and a punchline). When young Count Almaviva falls for the clever and charming Rosina, it’s up to Figaro to outwit her scheming guardian and make true love triumph. A centerpiece of our Masters of Mischief season, The Barber of Seville proves that a sharp blade and a sharper mind can conquer just about anything.

Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

Knoxville’s biggest celebration of arts, culture, and community returns! The Rossini Festival International Street Fair transforms downtown Knoxville into a European-style street party with two full days of music, food, art, and family fun.
Opera lovers and first-timers alike can enjoy free performances by local and regional artists across multiple stages — including highlights from upcoming Knoxville Opera productions. More than 100 artisan vendors, food trucks, and cultural exhibitors fill the streets alongside wine tastings, kid-friendly activities, and live entertainment around every corner.

The Rossini Festival brings together tens of thousands of attendees to celebrate the power of the performing arts in the heart of the city.

Free Admission | Rain or Shine
Presented by Knoxville Opera

Knoxville’s biggest celebration of arts, culture, and community returns! The Rossini Festival International Street Fair transforms downtown Knoxville into a European-style street party with two full days of music, food, art, and family fun.
Opera lovers and first-timers alike can enjoy free performances by local and regional artists across multiple stages — including highlights from upcoming Knoxville Opera productions. More than 100 artisan vendors, food trucks, and cultural exhibitors fill the streets alongside wine tastings, kid-friendly activities, and live entertainment around every corner.

The Rossini Festival brings together tens of thousands of attendees to celebrate the power of the performing arts in the heart of the city.

Free Admission | Rain or Shine
Presented by Knoxville Opera

Schemes, wills, and one unforgettable con. Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi is a fast-paced farce full of family drama, crafty deception, and razor-sharp wit. When a wealthy Florentine dies and leaves his fortune to a monastery, his greedy relatives turn to the sly and unconventional Gianni Schicchi to fix the problem—with delightfully chaotic results.

Bursting with humor and high-stakes trickery, this one-act gem is a hilarious closer to our Masters of Mischief season. Featuring the beloved aria "O mio babbino caro" and a cast of characters who’ll do anything for a fortune, Gianni Schicchi proves that sometimes, crime does pay—at least in opera.

Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

Schemes, wills, and one unforgettable con. Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi is a fast-paced farce full of family drama, crafty deception, and razor-sharp wit. When a wealthy Florentine dies and leaves his fortune to a monastery, his greedy relatives turn to the sly and unconventional Gianni Schicchi to fix the problem—with delightfully chaotic results.

Bursting with humor and high-stakes trickery, this one-act gem is a hilarious closer to our Masters of Mischief season. Featuring the beloved aria "O mio babbino caro" and a cast of characters who’ll do anything for a fortune, Gianni Schicchi proves that sometimes, crime does pay—at least in opera.

Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

The tradition continues! Join Knoxville Opera for an afternoon of playful competition, community spirit, and crisp elegance at the annual Croquet Tournament. Set against the green expanse of the UT Rec Fields, this lighthearted spring fundraiser invites teams of supporters, creatives, and opera enthusiasts to vie for the Annual Tournament Cup — with plenty of fun along the way.

Guests will enjoy tournament play, sideline refreshments, music, and celebratory moments throughout the day, all while supporting Knoxville Opera.

Dress Code: All Sport Whites
Classic, clean, and croquet-ready.

Enjoy the festivities with white sports attire inspired by Old World Charm.

Gentlemen are encouraged to wear turn-of-the-century whites, and ladies can opt for dresses and garden party hats. White lace is traditional but certainly not mandatory.