UNLV Opera Theater

The Turn of the Screw Poster 2023. Two eerie characters stand on stage with purple lighting and a slight hazy fog.

UNLV Opera Theater

In UNLV Opera classes, workshops, and performances, student singers develop their skills as singing actors, practice yoga for singers, and perform in scenes, one-acts, and full operatic productions.

Opera Workshop I

Laboratory course devoted to the development of acting and movement skills for opera/operetta. Students will develop improved skills in movement and acting. Students will learn how to prepare an operatic role. Students will showcase their work as singing actors via public performance in opera scenes.

Opera Workshop II

Laboratory course devoted to the performance of operatic excerpts and short operas. Students will develop improved skills in movement and acting as well as a polished audition package. Students will showcase their work as singing actors via public performance in opera scenes and/or a chamber opera production.

The Christopher and Anita Murray Opera Las Vegas Studio at UNLV

Established in 2024, the Christopher and Anita Murray Opera Las Vegas Studio at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a collaborative studio artist program between Opera Las Vegas and UNLV Opera. As part of their training, Studio Artists receive professional vocal coaching, repertoire development, and high profile performance opportunities.

"We are so grateful to the Murrays for underwriting this vital new program, one that will not only greatly enhance our mission for making opera accessible to a diverse demographic, but will also serve as an important collaboration with the award-winning Opera and Voice programs at UNLV.”—Jim Sohre, General Director of Opera Las Vegas

"This partnership between Opera Las Vegas and UNLV Opera brings exciting educational and artistic opportunities to our students and strengthens the community impact of both organizations. The initiative provides a valuable launching pad for UNLV Opera singers, facilitating their transition from pupil to professional."—Linda Lister, Artistic Director of UNLV Opera and Advisor to the Christopher and Anita Murray Opera Las Vegas Studio at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Opera Production

Production course with involvement as a performer or production assistant in an opera/operetta production. Students showcase their work as singing actors via public performance in this large-scale operatic production with orchestra.

Production History includes:

2024-25 Three Sisters Who Are Not Sisters/How Clear She Shines!, The Three Feathers
2023-24 Prima la musica e poi le parole/La Divina, Le Comte Ory
2022-23 Roman Fever/The Stronger, The Turn of the Screw
2021-2022 Body of Art (world premiere), La canterina/Der Schauspieldirektor
2020-2021 Royal Flush (collegiate premiere)
2019-20: Dido and Aeneas, Orpheus in the Underworld.
2018-19: State of Grace (world premiere), No Guarantees (workshop), Dialogues of the Carmelites
2017-18: Die Fledermaus, Don Giovanni
2016-17: Orfeo ed Euridice/Les malheurs d'Orphée, A Midsummer Night's Dream
2015-16: Trial by Jury/The Beautiful Bridegroom, La bohème
2014-15: Little Red Riding Hood, L'enfant et les sortilèges, Le nozze di Figaro
2013-14: Suor Angelica/Sancta Susanna, Ariadne auf Naxos
2012-13: The Fairy Queen, L'elisir d'amore
2011-12: La canterina/The Impresario, Carmen
2010-11: Madama Butterfly
2009-10: Die Fledermaus, The Magic Flute

To learn the latest details on our opera productions, please visit us at our Facebook page and connect with us on Twitter.

For more information on the opera program, please contact Dr. Linda Lister, Director of Opera at linda.lister@unlv.edu.

Here is a partial listing of opera companies where alumni of UNLV Opera have performed:

Metropolitan Opera

New York City Opera

Lyric Opera of Chicago

Welsh National Opera

Opéra National de Paris

Deutsche Oper Berlin

Oper Frankfurt

Opera Leipzig

Oper Dortmund

Oper Köln

Stadttheater Bern

Seattle Opera

Hawaii Opera Theatre

Opera Orlando

Opera San Jose

Florida Grand Opera

Sarasota Opera

Opera Saratoga

Austin Opera

Chautauqua Opera

Opera Idaho

Minnesota Opera

Opera Tampa

Opera Colorado

Virginia Opera

Michigan Opera Theatre

New Orleans Opera

Utah Opera

San Diego Opera

Opera Las Vegas

Vegas City Opera

Palm Beach Opera

San Francisco Opera

Houston Grand Opera

Volksoper Wien