August 18, 2026

Seattle Opera and Classical KING

Seattle Opera and Classical KING will welcome the public behind the scenes during their annual Opera Center Open House on Sept. 26, offering free activities, performances and tours at the Opera Center in Seattle. The event, scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m., will give visitors an opportunity to explore the inner workings of two of the region's leading arts organizations while engaging with artists and community partners.

This year's Open House will highlight Mexican arts and culture in advance of Seattle Opera's January production of “El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego,” a new opera by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gabriela Lena Frank and librettist Nilo Cruz. Activities will include performances by mariachi musicians from the Highline School District, a community mural project, and a panel discussion on Chicana/o arts traditions presented by Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery.

Attendees will also get a preview of Seattle Opera's 2026-27 season through a concert featuring excerpts from upcoming productions, a discussion with company leaders and a live feed from a rehearsal of “Salome,” which opens the season in October. Additional performances throughout the day will feature winners of the Seattle Opera Guild's Singer Development Award and members of the Youth Opera Project.

Visitors will be able to tour Seattle Opera's costume and props facilities, visit Classical KING's broadcast studios and participate in hands-on arts activities, including costume try-ons, crafts, dance instruction and an operatic sing-along. Organizers said the event is designed to showcase the collaborative work that brings opera to the stage while strengthening connections with the broader arts community across the Pacific Northwest.

Information and RSVPs at http://seattleopera.org/openhouse