We are excited to welcome you to your upcoming performance! Below, you will find useful information to know before you head out to McCaw Hall or the Opera Center.
Additional Resources:
Important Performance information
McCaw Hall (321 Mercer Street)
- McCaw Hall opens two hours before the beginning of the performance (5:30 PM for evening performances, 12:00 PM for matinees).
- Please leave plenty of time to get to the opera. If you arrive after the music starts, you may not be able to sit in your assigned seat until after intermission.
- If you purchased pre-paid parking, please be prepared to show your parking pass at the garage, either mailed to you with your tickets or available as a digital ticket through tickets.seattleopera.org. Read our Mercer Parking Garage information before attending.
- Assistive listening devices, large print programs, Braille programs, binoculars, and sensory guides are available to rent or borrow from the assistance booth (around the corner from coat check) located on the main entry level of McCaw Hall. Learn more about accessibility options >
- Masks are optional but encouraged. We will provide free masks for anyone who forgets a mask and would like to wear one. For more information, please read our COVID Safety page.
- Need to exchange your tickets? Follow our easy online instructions.
the Opera Center (363 Mercer Street)
- The Opera Center lobby will open one hour before the beginning of the performance.
- Please leave plenty of time to get to the opera. Limited late seating will be available at appropriate intervals.
- If you purchased pre-paid parking, please be prepared to show your parking pass at the garage. Read our Mercer Parking Garage information before attending.
- If you require any accessibility accomodations, including but not limited to assistive listening devices, large print programs, and sensory guides, please speak with a staff member upon your arrival to the Opera Center. Learn more about accessibility options >
- Masks are optional but encouraged. We will provide free masks for anyone who forgets a mask and would like to wear one. For more information, please read our COVID Safety page.
- Need to exchange your tickets? Follow our easy online instructions.
Mary's Place Donation Drive
Seattle Opera is partnering with Mary's Place and collecting donations of household supplies to help families experiencing homelessness.
Donations can be dropped off in the lobby of McCaw Hall at any performance of Tosca (May 3–17).
Learn More
Audience Agreements
We intend to foster a safe, positive, and memorable experience for all people engaging with Seattle Opera. Therefore, we ask our guests to take part in the following agreements rooted in kindness, respect, and generosity:
Everyone belongs at the opera. Seattle Opera does not tolerate racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, or any other form of prejudice towards fellow guests, staff, or artists whether on social media, over the phone, or in person at one of our events.
Feel free to laugh, weep, gasp, applaud, and cheer at the show. Your authentic reaction is what makes live performance exciting and unique!
Respect your neighbors. Please respect and embrace the reactions of your neighbors, which might be different from your own.
Follow direction. Comply with any identification requirements or search and screening procedures prior to entry into any Seattle Opera affiliated space.
Seattle Opera prohibits:
- Interfering with the event, performers, and/or staff.
- Using abusive, offensive, or obscene language and gestures towards any individual at a Seattle Opera event.
- Engaging in illegal or disruptive behavior, including the use of physical threats, fighting, or other behavior Seattle Opera and/or event staff perceives as detrimental to the event experience and the comfort and safety of all guests.
- Smoking, vaping, or the use of marijuana or tobacco products outside of designated areas.
- Recording any performance with photography or any audio/video device during any performance.
- Wielding firearms at Seattle Opera events or on Seattle Opera property.
Violation of these agreements may result in being escorted from the event without refund or permission for re-entry.
Dig Deeper: Tosca
- Save paper and check out our digital program! Read now >
- Learn more about the production with cast information, photos, videos, and excerpts of the music. Learn more >
- Join us at McCaw Hall before and after each opera performance for enlightening and engaging pre-show lectures and post-show talkbacks with members of the cast and creative team. Learn more >
- Read the synopsis to familiarize yourself with the story of this opera. Synopsis translations are also available for download in Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Tagalog, and Somali. Read now >
Articles, Videos, & Podcasts
- Listen to our podcast episode: Tosca 101, presented by dramaturg Jonathan Dean.
- Tosca takes place over the course of a few hours, in three actual locations near each other in Rome, not far from the Vatican. Read our blog post, Tosca's Rome, to learn more about the real-life venues that inspired Puccini's opera.
- Read a guest article from historian Susan Nicassio to learn more about the history of Rome during the Napoleonic wars that inspired the story and characters of this opera.
- The stunning historical set used for Tosca is a work of art purchased by our founding General Director Glynn Ross in the early days of the company. Read our blog post to dive deeper into the 70-year design history of our timeless production.