Boston’s Community Opera | Boston Lyric Opera (original) (raw)
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- Calendar
- She Was There | Jun. 13-14, 2026
- 2026/27 Season
- William Tell | Sept. 25 – Oct. 4
- The Opera Gala | Oct. 16
- A Streetcar Named Desire | Nov. 5-8
- The Queen of Spades | Jan. 29-31
- The Marriage of Figaro | Mar. 12-21
- Lawrence Brownlee & Erin Morley in Recital | Apr. 16
- Boston’s Community Opera | May 8
- Nadine Sierra in Recital | Jun. 2
- Ayre | Jun. 17-20
- Previous Seasons
- Opera Innovators Series
- Press
- Contact
-
- Concert in the Courtyard
- Deconstructing Opera
- Emerging Artists
- Getting Into Opera
- Middle School Musical Theatre Audition Workshop
- Opera + Community Studios
- Opera Boot Camp
- Opera Innovators Series
- Opera Kids
- Opera Nights at the BPL
- Opera On Tour: Daughter of the Regiment
- Opera Study Guides
- Pre-show Opera Lectures
- PRIMA
- Public Programs
- Rising Waters / Rising Voices
- Street Stage: Summer 2026
- The Butterfly Process
- Voices of Revolution
- Youth & Schools
- Dive Deeper
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- 2026/27 Season
- 50th Season Subscriptions
- William Tell | Sept. 25 – Oct. 4
- The Opera Gala | Oct. 16
- A Streetcar Named Desire | Nov. 5-8
- The Queen of Spades | Jan. 29-31
- The Marriage of Figaro | Mar. 12-21
- Lawrence Brownlee & Erin Morley in Recital | Apr. 16
- Boston’s Community Opera | May 8
- Nadine Sierra in Recital | Jun. 2
- Ayre | Jun. 17-20
-
- Calendar
- She Was There | Jun. 13-14, 2026
- 2026/27 Season
- William Tell | Sept. 25 – Oct. 4
- The Opera Gala | Oct. 16
- A Streetcar Named Desire | Nov. 5-8
- The Queen of Spades | Jan. 29-31
- The Marriage of Figaro | Mar. 12-21
- Lawrence Brownlee & Erin Morley in Recital | Apr. 16
- Boston’s Community Opera | May 8
- Nadine Sierra in Recital | Jun. 2
- Ayre | Jun. 17-20
- Previous Seasons
- Opera Innovators Series
- Press
- Contact
-
- Concert in the Courtyard
- Deconstructing Opera
- Emerging Artists
- Getting Into Opera
- Middle School Musical Theatre Audition Workshop
- Opera + Community Studios
- Opera Boot Camp
- Opera Innovators Series
- Opera Kids
- Opera Nights at the BPL
- Opera On Tour: Daughter of the Regiment
- Opera Study Guides
- Pre-show Opera Lectures
- PRIMA
- Public Programs
- Rising Waters / Rising Voices
- Street Stage: Summer 2026
- The Butterfly Process
- Voices of Revolution
- Youth & Schools
- Dive Deeper
-
- 2026/27 Season
- 50th Season Subscriptions
- William Tell | Sept. 25 – Oct. 4
- The Opera Gala | Oct. 16
- A Streetcar Named Desire | Nov. 5-8
- The Queen of Spades | Jan. 29-31
- The Marriage of Figaro | Mar. 12-21
- Lawrence Brownlee & Erin Morley in Recital | Apr. 16
- Boston’s Community Opera | May 8
- Nadine Sierra in Recital | Jun. 2
- Ayre | Jun. 17-20
-
- Calendar
- She Was There | Jun. 13-14, 2026
- 2026/27 Season
- William Tell | Sept. 25 – Oct. 4
- The Opera Gala | Oct. 16
- A Streetcar Named Desire | Nov. 5-8
- The Queen of Spades | Jan. 29-31
- The Marriage of Figaro | Mar. 12-21
- Lawrence Brownlee & Erin Morley in Recital | Apr. 16
- Boston’s Community Opera | May 8
- Nadine Sierra in Recital | Jun. 2
- Ayre | Jun. 17-20
- Previous Seasons
- Opera Innovators Series
- Press
- Contact
-
- Concert in the Courtyard
- Deconstructing Opera
- Emerging Artists
- Getting Into Opera
- Middle School Musical Theatre Audition Workshop
- Opera + Community Studios
- Opera Boot Camp
- Opera Innovators Series
- Opera Kids
- Opera Nights at the BPL
- Opera On Tour: Daughter of the Regiment
- Opera Study Guides
- Pre-show Opera Lectures
- PRIMA
- Public Programs
- Rising Waters / Rising Voices
- Street Stage: Summer 2026
- The Butterfly Process
- Voices of Revolution
- Youth & Schools
- Dive Deeper
-
- 2026/27 Season
- 50th Season Subscriptions
- William Tell | Sept. 25 – Oct. 4
- The Opera Gala | Oct. 16
- A Streetcar Named Desire | Nov. 5-8
- The Queen of Spades | Jan. 29-31
- The Marriage of Figaro | Mar. 12-21
- Lawrence Brownlee & Erin Morley in Recital | Apr. 16
- Boston’s Community Opera | May 8
- Nadine Sierra in Recital | Jun. 2
- Ayre | Jun. 17-20

Boston’s Community OperaBrock Poirier2026-06-01T16:40:11-04:00
Boston’s Community Opera
Music by Carlos Simon
Libretto by Tracy K. Smith
Co-commissioned by Boston Lyric Opera and the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Hall
Saturday, May 8 | 2:00pm
An opera created by Boston, for Boston.
When Bostonians raise their voices, the result is unforgettable. Our new community opera, produced in collaboration with the City of Boston and dozens of community organizations, features hundreds of youth performers making Symphony Hall resound with the power of their collective artistry.
Co-commissioned by Boston Lyric Opera and the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), this as-yet-untitled work from GRAMMY®-nominated BSO Composer Chair Carlos Simon and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith builds on the discoveries and community-oriented spirit of last season’s production of Noah’s Flood.
Shaped by stories shared by the public, this opera draws upon the lived experiences and dreams of Bostonians in a work that reflects the city’s richness, complexity, and spirit in a culmination of BLO’s mission at its best.
301 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115
Accessibility: For guests needing accommodations, Symphony Hall recommends arriving at the Cohen Wing entrance located at the front of Symphony Hall (251 Huntington Avenue), where there is a curb cut for wheelchairs and drop-off. Trained usher staff will be able to assist as needed with entering the hall and finding your seat location.
See more at the Symphony Hall’s Accessibility Page to learn more about accessible seating, large-print programs, assistive listening devices, and more. If you have questions about accessibility in the venue, please contact our Audience Services team so that we may best assist you at 617.542.6772 or boxoffice@blo.org.
Restrooms: All restrooms in Symphony Hall are accessible. There is also a gender neutral restroom on the first balcony level, near the Beranek Room.
Amenities: Food and beverages will be available for purchase before the performance and during intermission.
Coat Check: Coat and bag check availability may vary by performance. We encourage guests to travel light when possible.
About the Venue: A cornerstone of Boston’s cultural scene, Symphony Hall is one of the city’s most celebrated concert venues. Renowned for its exceptional acoustics and elegant architecture, it provides an iconic setting for world-class performances.
301 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115
Public Transportation
Symphony Hall is within walking distance of several MBTA stations:
- By subway: Take the Heath Street/Brigham Circle “E” Green Line train to the Symphony stop. Or take any other Green Line train to the Hynes Convention Center stop, then cross the street to the No. 1 bus or walk 10 minutes south on Mass Ave., or take the Orange Line to the Massachusetts Ave. stop and go north on Mass Ave. to Symphony Hall.
- By bus: Starting in Harvard Square: take the No. 1 (Mass Ave.) bus towards Nubian and get off at the Mass Ave. at Huntington Ave. stop.
Starting at Nubian: take the No. 1 (Mass Ave.) bus towards Harvard Square and get off at the Mass Ave. at St. Botolph St. stop.
Driving Directions
From the North:
- Take I-93 South to Storrow Drive
- Take the Fenway exit
- Take Boylston Street (inbound) to Westland Avenue
- Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
- Symphony Hall will be on your left
From the South:
- Take I-93 North to the Massachusetts Avenue exit
- Proceed approximately seven traffic lights down
- Symphony Hall will be on the left
From the Mass Pike:
- Take Storrow Drive to the Fenway exit
- Take Boylston Street (inbound) to Westland Avenue
- Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
- Symphony Hall will be on your left
or
- Take the Prudential Center / Copley Square exit
- Proceed down Huntington Avenue to Symphony Hall
Parking
Nearby Restaurants:
- OAK Long Bar + Kitchen – A new, American brasserie style restaurant in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay.
- Deuxave – Modern Italian-French cuisine using the finest American ingredients sourced from the best local purveyors.
- LUCIE drink + dine – Designed with a spirit of fun and a touch of rock ‘n roll.
- MIDA – Italian-inspired menu with creative small plates in a cozy, stylish environment.
- Symphony Sushi – Fresh sushi and Japanese cuisine just steps from Symphony Hall.
Things to Do:
- Copley Square – Iconic city square with the Boston Public Library and Trinity Church, perfect for photo ops.
- Newbury Street – A vibrant street for shopping, cafes, and people-watching, just a few blocks away.
- Prudential Center Skywalk – Indoor observation deck offering panoramic views of Boston.
- Back Bay Fens or The Charles River Esplanade – Scenic park areas for a short stroll along the gardens or river.
Whether you’re planning a full evening out or a quick stop before curtain, Boston’s Back Bay offers a dynamic mix of dining, culture, and city life just steps from Symphony Hall.
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please reach out to us at boxoffice@blo.org.
Upcoming BLO Events
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