Opera Baltimore

"I am struck by the joy, and the commitment, of the singers doing what they love and have chosen to do with their lives: sing!"

Virginia Pond wrote those words for one of our fundraising campaigns nearly a decade ago. Writing for a fundraiser wasn't really her thing. But she loved this company, so when we asked, she said yes.

That was Virginia.

She ushered at our very first performance in 2009. She showed up as a volunteer, a donor, a subscriber, and a friend for every year that followed. When resources were scarce and the future felt uncertain, a contribution or a note from Virginia would arrive at exactly the right moment. Her support was never about recognition. It came from a deep belief in opera and in the people working to bring it to life.

Virginia passed away in 2025. Earlier this year, we received a distribution from her estate through a gift she had thoughtfully included in her will. Even now, she is helping sustain the organization she loved. Her gift is already becoming performances, artist fees, and educational programs.

Virginia's legacy reminds us that the future of this art form is built not only by those who perform it, but by those who choose to sustain it.

If her story has inspired you to consider including Opera Baltimore in your estate plans, we would love to speak with you. Reach out to us here or visit operabaltimore.org to see our email and phone contact information.

Thank you, Virginia.

Special thanks to Ella Pritsker Couture (Ella Pritsker Couture) for dressing our President and General Director Julia Cooke so beautifully for the Season Preview Party and throughout the season.

From the elegance of the Opera Ball to the handcrafted pink floral piece Julia wore for the closing of Pelléas et Mélisande, Ella’s designs bring artistry, individuality, and theatrical flair to every occasion. Her work feels right at home in the world of opera: beautifully crafted, full of presence, and impossible to ignore.

We are so grateful to Ella Pritsker Couture for helping Julia mark these special Opera Baltimore moments with such style.

And the Season Preview Party dress? A showstopper. Full stop.

We're heading back to Shake & Bake this Saturday!

Here's a picture from 2022 when Opera Baltimore rolled into 1601 Pennsylvania Avenue for one of the most electric nights we've ever had. On Saturday, June 6, we return! It's been a joy to partner with Shake & Bake for many years now.

Voices in Solidarity: Sing, Skate, Celebrate! is a FREE two-hour event (5:00–7:00 PM) rooted in Baltimore's shared Black and Jewish histories. Come for the music. Stay for the stories.

Here's what's waiting for you:

🎤 Live performances from mezzo-soprano Gayssie Lugo and soprano Faith S. Snyderman 🗣️ A panel with Em Davidson (Reginald F. Lewis Museum), Dr. Harriette Wimms (Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh), and Ra Brave (Shake & Bake), moderated by Nicole Steinberg 🏛️ A traveling artifact display from the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture ⛸️ Skating. Yes, skating.

This is part of Voices in Solidarity, Opera Baltimore's place-based civic initiative exploring how Baltimore's Black and Jewish communities have shaped each other through music, memory, and resilience.

📍 Shake & Bake Family Fun Center, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217 🗓️ Saturday, June 6 | 5:00–7:00 PM 🎟️ FREE. No ticket required. Just show up.

Bring a neighbor. Bring your skates. Come hear what Baltimore sounds like when we listen to each other.

We were sold out, but we just added more tickets! Get 'em before they're gone!

The Season Preview Party is Tuesday, June 2 at The Engineers Club in Mt. Vernon. $39 gets you live opera from Hannah Ludwig, Mary Elizabeth Williams, Henrique Carvalho, and Joy Schreier. A first look at next season. And early access to 2026-2027 tickets before anyone else.

Can't make it? The raffle is still yours. A full season of Thirsty Thursday tickets, a crystal wine decanter set, and sparkling wine. Pre-purchase your raffle tickets and win from your couch!

Purchase Party Tickets: https://vist.ly/55t9d
Purchase Raffle Tickets (Pre-sale for raffle tickets end on Tuesday, June 2 at 4 PM ET): https://vist.ly/55t9e

Spring has sprung in Baltimore, and it's finally time for Mount Vernon neighborhood's Flower Mart, a tradition dating all the way from 1911! Join us at 1:00 on May 1st for a concert featuring singers Zinnia Frank and Laura Corina Sanders, with pianist Rhyss Burgess.

Come for the music, and stay for the food, flowers, and fun!

699 Washington Place, Baltimore, MD

"Throughout the show, I felt as though I were possessed by a nightmare, tossing and turning, transfixed, bewildered, and, ultimately, profoundly moved."

We're grateful to Brendan Latimer at Parterre Box for this glowing review of last week's Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande. Read the full review here: https://vist.ly/42g9w