Going Wilde
During the 19th century, Cincinnati hosted many of the era’s glitterati, including Charles Dickens, Jenny Lind, and Oscar Wilde.
Underscore: The Importance of Being Oscar
Tuesday, March 3, 7:30 p.m.
Wilks Studio
Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St.
Tickets:$25 per event; $60 for 3-event package. Order at cincinnatiopera.org or 513-241-2742.
Cincinnati Opera is offering a new look at Wilde’s trip to the city, with the first performance in a new series, “Underscore: The Importance of Being Oscar.”
Before writing his controversial play “Salome,” the source material for Richard Strauss’s opera which opens Cincinnati Opera’s season this summer, Wilde visited Cincinnati three times during his speaking tour of America in 1882.
“Cincinnati Times-Star,” Feb. 17, 1882
“He was deeply impressed by the quality, variety and quantity of our arts,” says Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera. “On his whirlwind one-day tour of Cincinnati, he bought books from one of the best bookstores in America of the day, Robert Clarke and Company. He visited the original Art Academy (then known as the School of Drawing and Design) and declared that Cincinnati would be a great incubator for art. He toured the original Rookwood Pottery, and then visited with its founder the formidable Maria Longworth Nichols. He capped it all off that night by attending a concert at Music Hall, performed by the opera superstar Adelina Patti-among a crowd of 7,000(!) frenzied music lovers.”
“The Importance of Being Oscar” is an original one-act play by Mirageas and Audrey Chait that dramatizes the interview Wilde gave just prior to his first lecture at Music Hall.
“I studied Literary Arts at Brown University, and am always delighted when there’s an occasion to pull out my playwriting card,” says Audrey Chait, the opera’s Artistic Programs & New Works Manager. “Co-writing ‘The Importance of Being Oscar’ has been a delight! Evans is a wealth of knowledge about so, so many things, but when he really hones in on a topic he likes, it’s extraordinary. So we’ve been enjoying a deep dive on all things Wilde.”
Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera
As interviewed by Samuel Flickinger of the “Cincinnati Gazette,” Wilde applies his trademark wit to his impressions of Cincinnati, the Aesthetic movement, music, fame, and much more. The performance stars Douglas Fries as Oscar Wilde and Chris Logan Carter as the Interviewer, with performances by soprano Heidi Middendorf, tenor Jack Keller, and pianist Matthew Umphreys.
“Getting to know Wilde through his own words brought to life by Douglas Fries gives you a sense of how the lush, beautiful and dangerous personality of ‘Salome’ was so easy for Wilde to create,” says Mirageas. “We even take a bit of calendar license to have Wilde recite a portion of the final scene of the play as he describes how the actress Sarah Bernhardt is already inspiring him to write the play.”
The Underscore series offers a way to experience the rich stories, history, and drama at the heart of opera. From March through May, audiences will be immersed in fun and imaginative experiences inspired by the operas featured during Cincinnati Opera’s 2026 Summer Festival. From theatrical investigations to topical discussions to lively character explorations, attendees will discover the unexpected connections and relatable moments that make opera resonate.
“Cincinnati Opera comes to life in the summer with our season of grand opera in Music Hall,” says Chait. “During the year, we are in the habit of creating programming that builds excitement about the upcoming opera season. In the past, we have hosted the Opera Raps series, consisting of lively lectures, often with special guests, and always with live music. This year, we wanted to build on the Opera Raps series – providing context and interest for the upcoming season, but also breaking out of the mold that we’d used for many years. The new events take different immersive formats, including a play with music, a murder mystery night, and a DJ battle. We are excited for opera audiences to experience our programming in new ways. These events are experiences that stand alone as entertaining evenings at the opera, but they are also designed to whet your appetite for the summer season.”
Next up is “Carmen’s Revenge—An Operatic Murder Mystery” on Tuesday, April 21, at Second Sight Spirits, 301 Elm Street, Ludlow, Ky.
Spoiler alert: Things don’t go well for Carmen at the end of Bizet’s opera. But what if the drama didn’t stop at the end of Act IV? Join us for an interactive, irreverent, and, of course, operatic glimpse into what comes next for Carmen’s friends and foes–no prior “Carmen” knowledge required! Filled with clues and plot twists, plus live performances of classic “Carmen” arias, you’ll learn more about the opera while engaging with the cast of characters and fellow guests to uncover the truth. Will you be the sleuth who pieces it together and solves the murder?
The series concludes with “The Afrofuturist Salon” on Thursday, May 7 at Artsville, 5021 Whetsel Avenue. The finale invites guests to step into the vibrant universe of “Lalovavi,” Cincinnati Opera’s bold, new Afrofuturist opera. This event brings together cultural innovators, creative voices, and curious minds for cocktails, connection, and conversation inspired by Afrofuturism and the power of hair, style, identity, storytelling, and legacy. Featuring “Lalovavi” librettist Tifara Brown, wig designer Tiara Jones, and Cassandra Jones, University of Cincinnati Assistant Professor of Africana Studies, exploring the intersections of Black futurism, beauty, and self-expression. The experience flows into a high-energy DJ set with spoken word and remixes inspired by “Lalovavi.”
“Cincinnati Opera is full of surprises, and that we are also willing to push the envelope in order to create new experiences for our audience,” says Mirageas. “We are excited to reach out to some new folks who may not have been to the opera before, in addition to providing fresh experiences to our regulars. We also hope people discover that Cincinnati Opera is everywhere, not just in Music Hall. We’re in schools, churches, wineries, and sports stadiums!”