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.
theater three feathers play

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 ҳ| 鶹ýӳ 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 ҳ| 鶹ýӳ

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 and .

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

The Fairy Queen (2012)
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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

UNLV Opera Theater Awards

  • 1st place, 2015 NOA Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition, Graduate Opera Division
  • 1st place, 2015 NOA Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition, Musical Theatre Division
  • 2nd place, 2016 NOA Opera Production Competition, Division 1
  • 2nd place, 2017 NOA Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition, Musical Theatre Division
  • 2nd place, 2024 NOA Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition, Graduate Opera Division