A Family Affair
Think Your Family Dinners are Dramatic? Try Ours.
March 24, 2026 (Milwaukee)–The Florentine Opera is proud to announce its 93rd season, titled “A Family Affair.” The 2026/27 lineup features three powerhouse productions that delve into the heart of human connection—from the heartbreaking sacrifices of a Parisian courtesan to a Texas-sized squabble over an inheritance and an epic fantasy quest for truth. Two of the three productions feature Music Director Francesco Milioto at the podium.
“Our 93rd season is all about delicious dysfunction and family drama in every shape and color,” says Maggey Oplinger, General Director & CEO. “We are thrilled to welcome stars like Amanda Woodbury and Patrick Carfizzi to our stages, alongside the return of director Kyle Lang (Carmen, May 2025). The 26/27 journey is incredibly diverse—it’s everything from a Texas-sized Puccini comedy to a Wheel of Time inspired Mozartian epic. We’re kicking things off with a legendary love story and ending with a fantastical adventure. It’s a season of grand scale and, believe it or not, we only lose one soprano along the way!
La Traviata | Verdi: The season opens with Verdi’s definitive tale of romance and sacrifice. Leading the cast is Metropolitan Opera star Amanda Woodbury, making her Milwaukee debut as Violetta Valéry—a woman who lives fast, loves freely, and throws a better party than anyone in Paris. Under the baton of conductor Kensho Watanabe and the vision of stage director Katherine Carter, this production follows Violetta as she dares to trade pleasure for true love, only to be reminded by society—and Alfredo’s “proper” family—just how unforgiving the world can be.
Gianni Schicchi | Puccini: For the first time in company history, the Florentine brings Puccini’s rapid-fire comedy to the stage—with a Lone Star twist. Director Loren Meeker and conductor Francesco Milioto lead a cast featuring the return of audience favorite Patrick Carfizzi in the title role. When the family patriarch dies, the relatives’ grief quickly turns to greed as they scramble over the will. This real-time escalation of bad behavior and inconvenient young love proves that family infighting is the ultimate spectator sport.
The Magic Flute | Mozart: Closing the season at Uihlein Hall is a transformative reimagining of Mozart’s masterpiece. Inspired by the scale of epic fantasies like The Wheel of Time, director Kyle Lang (returning from Carmen) and conductor Francesco Milioto craft a world of rigid traditions and obscure trials. Starring Madison Leonard as Pamina, this production emphasizes that the journey belongs to both the Prince and the Princess; Pamina faces the same ordeals and proves herself every bit Tamino’s equal in a heart-stopping adventure where love wins against all odds.
Ticket Information
Subscriptions for the Florentine Opera’s 2026/27 season, A Family Affair, are now available for purchase. Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic of opera with the Florentine Opera. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.florentineopera.org or calling 414.291.5700 ext. 224. Single tickets will be available starting August 3, 2026. View Season Brochure here.
The Florentine Opera’s 26/27 Season at a Glance
Prepare for a season of devotion, dysfunction, and high-stakes drama. Experience a breathtaking journey through the ties that bind—and occasionally break—us, featuring a lush, romantic production of La Traviata, the Texas-sized comedic chaos of Gianni Schicchi, and a transformative, epic fantasy reimagining of The Magic Flute.
La Traviata– October 16 & 18, 2026 at the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Uihlein Hall. She lives fast and loves freely, but Violetta’s time is running out. Trading pleasure for true love sets her on a collision course with a judgmental society. Experience Verdi’s La Traviata—where “happily ever after” isn’t part of the program.
Gianni Schicchi– March 5 & 7, 2027 at the Alverno College in Pitman Theatre. Welcome to the Buoso ranch, where the patriarch is dead and the family is desperate. To fix a “wrong” will, they call in Gianni Schicchi for a high-stakes scheme. Greed, chaos, and young love collide in Puccini’s hilarious real-time comedy.
The Magic Flute– May 14 & 16, 2027 at the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Uihlein Hall. Follows a lovelorn poet as he drunkenly recalls three doomed romances—each thwarted by a sinister villain. With heartbreak, fantasy, and a mechanical doll, this haunting opera proves love is never simple in Hoffmann’s world.
Sellout Series: Al Fresco, located in some of the most beautiful and intimate gardens around SE Wisconsin, feature some of opera’s top talent. Plus, catch our Studio Artists in a special performance beyond the garden gates! These performances sell out, so act fast!
Al Fresco: Kathryn Henry– July 28, 2026 in Fox Point. Grammy-nominated soprano Kathryn Henry is a Metropolitan Opera artist and Baumgartner Studio Artist alumna. Recognized for her “luminous” artistry, she excels in leading operatic roles and premier concert repertoire on major international stages.
Al Fresco: Zachary Nelson – August 19th, 2026 in Fox Point. Award-winning baritone Zachary Nelson is a regular at the Metropolitan Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago. An Academy of Vocal Arts alumnus, he is celebrated globally for his “commanding” portrayals of Marcello, Leporello, and Alberich.
An Aria Extravaganza – September 15, 2026 on Milwaukee’s East Side. Opera, up close and personal. An Aria Extravaganza delivers stunning arias, an intimate setting, and a chance to sip, socialize, and soak it all in.
ABOUT THE FLORENTINE OPERA COMPANY
We’ve been bringing a little bit of the world to Milwaukee since 1933. We’re on a journey of discovery, exploring the glory of the human voice. We’re a powerhouse for all different voices and stories, which have endured through the centuries and resonate with our humanity and passion. We’re a live, supersized experience, created in-the-moment through theater, staging, lighting, lavish costumes, and beautiful song, bringing you the most immersive and all-encompassing artistic experience possible. Join us for a live performance that will sweep you off your feet.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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