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Seattle Opera.

Performance Talks

Want to make the most of your evening at the opera? Join us at McCaw Hall before and after each opera performance for enlightening and engaging lectures, talkback discussions with members of the cast and creative team, and more—all completely free of charge.

Before The Show

One hour before every performance, join us for pre-show talks featuring presentations on the story, music, and history of the opera. Whether this is your first time seeing the opera or you're a seasoned aficionado wanting to experience it through a different lens, you'll enjoy this journey inside the music and behind the scenes.

Pre-performance talks last for approximately 35 minutes and begin 60 minutes before curtain (6:30 PM for evening performances starting at 7:30 PM and 1:00 PM for Sunday matinees starting at 2:00 PM). Talks take place in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall, located inside McCaw Hall. Once you scan your ticket at the main entrance, take the stairs down one flight or take the north elevators down to level "LH."

After Every Performance

After the performance, join fellow audience members and artists from the production in a moderated talkback discussion. Hear from members of the cast, orchestra, and creative team about their experiences both preparing this particular opera production and more generally. Post-show talkbacks begin immediately following each performance and will be held in the theater at the front of the Orchestra level unless otherwise noted.

We encourage masks to be worn at post-show talkbacks. For purposes of health and safety, audience members will not share microphones; instead, a moderator will repeat questions and comments from the audience.