Opera

Central Michigan Opera program

We produce an annual full-length opera during the spring semester, featuring the Central Michigan University Symphony Orchestra. Unlike larger institutions in the state of Michigan, undergraduate, rather than graduate students perform the overwhelming majority of the leading roles in our productions.

You will have several different opportunities to perform in opera and musical theatre. We present weekly concerts which may feature music from operatic literature as well as the American Musical Theatre. Additionally, The School of Music, in conjunction with the School of Theatre, produces a fully staged musical theatre production each fall semester. Recent collaborative shows include The Scarlet Pimpernel, Into the Woods, Chicago, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, A Little Night Music, Pal Joey, Urinetown, Little Women, Kiss Me, Kate and Secret Garden.

The mission of the opera program at Central Michigan University is to prepare students for the professional world of singing. To that end, we bring professional stage directors and coaches to work with our students as part of the production process. 

Recent opera theatre productions include Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Pirates of Penzance, La Bohème, Don Giovanni, The Mikado, Die Fledermaus, The Old Maid and the Thief, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Magic Flute.

CMU ensembles are open to all university students by audition.