Opera at USC offers a truly comprehensive program for both graduate and undergraduate students, covering every facet of opera production, both on stage and behind the scenes.
Opera at USC offers a truly comprehensive program for both graduate and undergraduate students. It covers every facet of opera production, both on stage and behind the scenes. Singers, directors, pianists, conductors, marketing and public relations students, and theatrical technicians get expert teaching and intensive hands-on experience in their respective crafts.
Opera at USC is one of only a handful of colleges and universities nationwide that offers special training and practice for aspiring opera stage directors. You can gain abundant practical stage experience by participating in the operas onstage or off.
Opera at USC presents two fully staged operas with orchestra each year and a one-act opera, often with a graduate stage director. Roles are open to undergraduates and graduates.
Master classes conducted by international opera singers, conductors, coaches and directors are held each semester.
Voice faculty and the choral department work closely together with Opera at USC on many projects. Learn more about the choral ensembles and the vocal studies area.
Ruddigore by Gilbert and Sullivan
A comic opera in two acts, Ruddigore has a delightfully absurd plot and a twist of the supernatural. Its music is by Arthur Sullivan, and the libretto is by W. S. Gilbert.
Friday, November 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 10 at 3 p.m.
Drayton Hall Theatre (1214 College St., Columbia, SC)
Puccini PLUS featuring Gianni Schicchi
Opera at USC spotlights the Italian composer Puccini. His passionate opera Gianni Schicchi depicts the life of a scheming yet ingenious peasant who tries to cash in on an old man changing his will and securing a payoff for his daughter’s wedding.
Friday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 2 at 3 p.m.
Drayton Hall Theatre (1214 College St., Columbia, SC)
TBA: The first-ever USC System Regional Campuses tour
This year the series features “The Beautiful Bridegroom,” directed by Masters student, Madison Supino and Les Malheurs d’Orphée, directed by Doctoral student, Veronica Page.
Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m., USC School of Music Recital Hall. Free.
Sunday, April 13 at 3 p.m., USC School of Music Recital Hall. Free.
Adults: $25
Seniors, USC Faculty & Staff, Military: $20
Students with ID: $10
You can purchase tickets online or at the door. Please note that online sales end at 3:00 p.m. on opening day. After that, you may purchase at the door one hour before the show. There are no refunds.
Ellen Douglas Schlaefer is director of Opera Studies & Musical Theatre. She has worked with some of the world’s top opera companies and directors, including the Washington Opera and Francesca Zambello. She has staged productions across the U.S. and throughout South Carolina.
Tenor Dominic Armstrong has been celebrated for his musicality, characterization and beauty of tone on stages both nationally and internationally. He was hailed by Parterre Box as being ‘an absolute star...able to pull from a wide expressive palette in his utterly unflappable, fluid tenor...’
As an internationally recognized leading interpreter of contemporary and modern music, mezzo-soprano Rachel Calloway brings versatility and compelling insight to stages worldwide. Her work has been praised by the New York Times for “penetrating clarity” and “considerable depth of expression” and by Opera News for her “adept musicianship and dramatic flair.”
Lynn Kompass is vocal coach and associate professor. She provides musical preparation for all productions performed by Opera at USC and teaches courses in song literature and advanced diction for singers.
Michael LaRoche serves as the technical director for Opera at USC and is the information technology support consultant for the School of Music.
Janet Hopkins is assistant professor of voice (mezzo-soprano). She has presented master classes throughout the U.S. and performed Beethoven's 9th in Kentucky and El Amor Brujo (Falla) with the S.C. Philharmonic.
Tina Milhorn Stallard is associate professor of voice (soprano) and teaches vocal pedagogy. She performed Vivaldi’s “Gloria” with the Shanghai Philharmonic as part of the cultural prelude to the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Jacob Will is a member of the voice faculty (bass-baritone). He made his New York Philharmonic debut as soloist in the American premiere of the “Messa per Rossini,” in a performance televised live nationwide.
Donald Gray has been a voice faculty member since 1972 and has performed all around the world. He has been a Metropolitan Opera audition winner and won the second annual Mario Lanza Competition.
Friday, Feb. 28, 2025
Location: See Description for Event Location.
Cost: Adults: $25 Seniors, USC Faculty & Staff, Military: $20 Students with ID: $10
Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025
Location: See Description for Event Location.
Cost: Adults: $25 Seniors, USC Faculty & Staff, Military: $20 Students with ID: $10
Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025
Location: See Description for Event Location.
Cost: Adults: $25 Seniors, USC Faculty & Staff, Military: $20 Students with ID: $10