The Dallas Opera Offers Free Streaming of Recent Productions This Summer
Lucas Meachem stars in THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY among titles streaming via YouTube
By: A.A. Cristi
The Dallas Opera (TDO) will release select operas from past seasons for free, on-demand viewing via its YouTube channel. Productions were recorded live at the Winspear Opera House, and each will be available for one month from May through August 2026.
Additionally, in September and early October, TDO will partner with classical station WRR 101.1 FM to broadcast the four mainstage productions from the company's recent 2025/2026 season as part of WRR's Concert Hall program.
Audiences all over the world can enjoy the power of opera from the comfort of their own homes before live TDO productions return to the Winspear Opera House in October 2026 with Donizetti's THE ELIXIR OF LOVE.
SUMMER SCHEDULE FOR FREE STREAMING
See the full schedule for TDO's free summer streaming below. All operas feature English subtitles.
Available May 1 – May 31:
- Strauss's Elektra (originally recorded in February 2024) - Tormented by the death of her father at the hands of her mother, Elektra has only revenge on her mind. When her brother Orest returns seething with vengeance, the siblings stage their bloody coup. Conducted by TDO Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director Emmanuel Villaume, this 100-minute edge-of-your-seat retelling of the classic Greek myth stars Marjorie Owens in one of opera's most iconic roles as well as Angela Meade, Jill Grove, and Alfred Walker. Elektra is Richard Strauss at his most riveting and famed duo director Sir David McVicar and set and Costume Designer John MacFarlane at their most thrilling.
- Verdi's La traviata (originally recorded in October 2024) - In this beloved Verdi masterpiece, the deck is stacked against Violetta, a courtesan trying to turn her life around. She falls for the romantic Alfredo, but illness and family meddling thwart her one chance at happiness. Chilean soprano Yaritza Véliz brings passion and power to the role of Violetta, Mexican tenor Javier Camarena dazzles as the lovesick Alfredo, and Mexican baritone Alfredo Daza imposes as Giorgio Germont. Guest conductor Iván López Reynoso leads The Dallas Opera Orchestra and Chorus in this Louisa Muller production.
Available June 1 – June 30:
- Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel (originally recorded in November 2022) - In this classic, family-friendly fairytale, Hansel and Gretel head into the forest in search of food—but they nearly become tasty treats themselves! Charismatic countertenor Kangmin Justin Kim “is an utter sensation” (Süddeutsche Zeitung); emerging star Elena Villalón has won scores of prestigious competitions; and Patricia Racette, one of today's most riveting singing actresses, eats up the stage as both the Mother and the Witch. Emmanuel Villaume conducts this Doug Fitch-designed and directed production from LA Opera.
- Gluck's Orpheus and Eurydice (originally recorded in February 2025) - In his take on this classic Greek myth, director Joachim Schamberger envisions the famous couple later in life. As Eurydice descends into dementia, a heartbroken Orpheus uses love and music to rescue her from the darkness of her disease, her personal Underworld. Emmanuel Villaume conducts Gluck's original 1762 score. Two exciting young singers lead the cast: countertenor Hugh Cutting, in his U.S. debut as the steadfast Orpheus, and soprano Madison Leonard as the enigmatic Eurydice.
Available July 1 – July 31:
- Mozart's Così fan tutte (originally recorded in April 2023) - Two sisters bid a tearful farewell to their battle-bound fiancés. Armed with disguises and wily determination, the ladies have the last laugh—outwitting their future husbands' mischievous “fidelity test.” Mozart's Così fan tutte is sometimes silly, often romantic, and always a delight. Whisking viewers to an opulent 1930s country club, celebrated director Michael Cavanagh's production features some of opera's brightest stars, including Caitlin Gotimer, David Portillo, Kayleigh Decker, and Lucas Meachem.
- Talbot's The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (originally recorded in November 2023) - In November 2023, The Dallas Opera presented the world premiere of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, directed by Leonard Foglia. In this production, Grammy Award–winning baritone Lucas Meachem stars as journalist Jean-Dominique Bauby, who awakes from a coma unable to move or speak, “locked-in” like a deep-sea diver, alongside Richard Croft, Sasha Cooke, Deanna Breiwick, and Kevin Burdette. With a libretto by Gene Scheer and composed by Joby Talbot, who wrote the film score for Wonka, the music will capture your heart from the first note. Emmanuel Villaume conducts.
Available Aug. 1 – CST Aug. 31:
- Verdi's Rigoletto (originally recorded in October 2022) - Treachery, seduction, and a raging, vengeful father: When Rigoletto's innocent daughter is cruelly seduced by the salacious Duke of Mantua, the jaded court jester stops being funny and vows revenge in this Tomer Zvulun-directed production. As Rigoletto, George Gagnidze “is a force of destructive nature” (Los Angeles Times), tenor René Barbera thrills as the Duke, and Madison Leonard is the perfect Gilda. Emmanuel Villaume conducts.
- Wagner's Das Rheingold (originally recorded in February 2023) - Don't Miss Wagner's epic myth of power, greed, giants, and gods—the inspiration for Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Leading this all-star cast in a role debut as Wotan, Nicholas Brownlee wows with his commanding presence, huge voice, and “handsome mahogany tone” (The New Yorker). As his imperious wife and sometimes partner-in-crime, Amanda Echalaz's “huge reputation lives up to the hype” (Daily Telegraph, London). Michael Mayes, Brenton Ryan, Barry Banks, Lindsay Ammann, and Peixin Chen also star. (Ammann and Chen will both appear in TDO's 2026/2027 Season mainstage productions.) Emmanuel Villaume conducts this Tomer Zvulun-directed production from The Atlanta Opera.
SCHEDULE FOR WRR BROADCASTS
After summer streaming closes on YouTube for the season, audiences can still listen to The Dallas Opera on WRR 101.1 FM, one of the country's oldest radio stations. From September 14 to October 5, 2026, TDO will partner with the classical music radio station's Concert Hall program to broadcast its four 2025/2026 season mainstage productions, leading up to the start of the 2026/2027 Season on Friday, Oct 9, 2026. Listeners can tune in every Monday evening at 8 PM on WRR 101.1 FM or the WRR app as follows:
- September 14: Bizet's Carmen (originally recorded in October 2025) - Obsession turns fatal in this sold-out American premiere production by French director Romain Gilbert. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Carmen just as Paris audiences did at the inaugural performance in 1875—featuring a re-creation of the original staging! The Habanera, the Seguidilla, the Toreador Song, and more … our celebrated maestro Emmanuel Villaume and TDO's Orchestra and Chorus bring you the world's most popular opera, starring Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti and tenor Saimir Pirgu (who returns for LOHENGRIN in 2027). Teresa Perrotta and Gihoon Kim amaze as Micaëla and Escamillo, respectively.
- September 21: Poulenc's Dialogues of the Carmelites (originally recorded in November 2025) - Time travel to 1794 Paris, where France's Reign of Terror is raging. A frightened young aristocrat enters a convent, desperate to find peace from religious persecution. But as the Mother Superior warns, she has entered a house of prayer, not an escape from reality. Based on a real-life incident, 16 Carmelite nuns—each with her own private demons—must decide if they will live in fear or die together in faith as martyrs on the guillotine. This production stars Joyce El-Khoury, Stéphanie d'Oustrac, Leah Hawkins, Deanna Breiwick, and Patricia Racette. Emmanuel Villaume conducts.
- September 28: Portman's The Little Prince (originally recorded in February 2026) - Written by Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman and librettist Nicholas Wright, The Little Prince is based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's beloved French novella. In this action-packed, family friendly, intergalactic story, a magical boy visits Earth, determined to find a way to save his own tiny planet and everything he cherishes. This Dallas Opera premiere, which sold out performances, stars baritone Kyle Miller as the Pilot and Houstonian Everett Baumgarten in his TDO debut as the titular Prince. TDO Chorus Director and Head of Music Paolo Bressan makes his American mainstage conducting debut leading the TDO Orchestra, cast, and Greater Dallas Choral Society.
- October 5: Verdi's Don Carlo (originally recorded in March 2026) - Set amidst the tumult of the Spanish Inquisition, Verdi's dark masterpiece has it all: forbidden love, heartfelt friendship, searing family drama, and political intrigue to spare. Led by conductor Emmanuel Villaume, The Dallas Opera Orchestra and Chorus, American tenor Stephen Costello, Australian soprano Nicole Car, American bass-baritone Christian Van Horn, French mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine, and American bass Morris Robinson all return to the Winspear and Canadian baritone Etienne Dupuis makes his TDO debut in this epic finale to the company's 2025/2026 season.
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