Brilliant opera productions in the best opera house!
What to Expect
The emotion and power of opera can only be truly experienced live in the theater. McIntyre Hall is a wonderful venue for opera with fantastic acoustics and sightlines. There is no amplification so you hear the intrinsic power of the live sound. There is plenty of free parking. Drinks and snacks are available before the performance and during the intermission.
Productions are fully staged with orchestra. The soloists are professional singers mostly from the Puget Sound area. It is one of our missions to give young professional singers the opportunity to sing major roles in fully staged productions with orchestra.
Performances are usually in their original language but English supertitles are projected above the stage during performances.
First Time at the Opera?
First-time opera goers may be unsure of how to get the most out of their first visit. Here are a few tips from Pacific Northwest Opera to make sure your first opera experience is as enjoyable as possible.
- Dress comfortably. Wear what you like, be it casual or evening wear. Attending opera is about your experience.
- Buy your ticket in advance. The McIntyre Hall Box website allows you to pick a seat. The box office has limited ours but is the easiest way to get a ticket and pick a seat you like. Or, you can always call the box office at (360) 416-7727. Discounted tickets are only available through the box office.
- If you learn something about the opera beforehand, you will get much more out of it. Knowing the characters and plot prior to the performance will help you follow the story. Go to the website’s On Stage page for read about the cast and a synopsis of the current season’s performances. Operas are usually performed in their original language so Pacific Northwest Opera provides an English translation projected above the stage during the performance.
- Come 45 minutes early for a pre-performance lecture given by the general or stage director. The tutorial is a great opportunity to learn more about opera and to socialize with fellow attendees.
- Arrive 15 minutes early. Opera performances start on time and late-comers are not seated until a break or intermission. Have time to find your seat and review the plot in the program notes.
- Arrive 45 minutes early for a pre-performance tutorial by General and Artistic Director, Mitchell Kahn.