Madison Opera’s Opera in the Park returns on Saturday, July 18 at 8pm in Garner Park on Madison’s West Side.
A Madison summer tradition since 2002, the free concert of opera and Broadway favorites draws audience
members from across Wisconsin and beyond to pack a picnic, gather friends, and share a beautiful night of
music under the stars. This July marks the 25th anniversary of Opera in the Park, and Madison Opera is launching
a year-long celebration, sharing its impressive 25-year history as well as stories from members of the Madison
community who enjoy the concert each year.
Opera in the Park 2026 stars soprano Kathryn Henry, mezzo-soprano Zoie Reams, tenor Joshua Stewart and
baritone Thomas Glass. Henry, Reams, and Glass are making their Madison Opera debuts at the concert. Henry,
a Wisconsin native, has sung recently with Theater Bonn, Santa Fe Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera. Reams,
who will sing the title role in Carmen with Madison Opera next April, has sung recently with Lyric Opera of
Chicago, Canadian Opera Company, and the Salzburg Festival. Stewart, who debuted with Madison Opera as
Charlie Parker in Charlie Parker’s Yardbird, returns to the company as Pollione in Norma this November; recent
credits include La Monnaie, the Barbican Center, and Seattle Opera. Glass’s recent credits include Metropolitan
Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Seattle Opera, and Minnesota Opera.
Madison Opera’s Opera in the Park 2026 | 2 of 4
The four soloists are joined by the Madison Opera Chorus and Madison Symphony Orchestra, conducted by
John DeMain. The evening is hosted by Madison Opera’s General Director Kathryn Smith and WKOW-TV’s
evening anchor Brandon Taylor.
“Opera in the Park is truly Madison Opera’s gift to our community,” says Smith. “When you combine a live
performance of beautiful music with thousands of people from across our region, all under the same gorgeous
night sky, you get something that is greater than one concert. It is music and it is entertainment, but it is also
about the human connection that happens when we share it together. I am so proud that we are celebrating our
25th summer of this incredible event and so grateful to all who have made it possible, this year and every year.”
The repertoire at Opera in the Park 2026 spans three centuries, including a few pieces that were part of the very
first Opera in the Park in 2002. Selections from Bellini’s thrilling Norma and Bizet’s legendary Carmen highlight
Madison Opera’s upcoming 26/27 season. The program also features pieces from Rigoletto, The Pearl Fishers,
Rusalka, Sweeney Todd, Idomeneo, Medea, Everlasting Faint, The Tales of Hoffmann, and more. As always, this
spectacular evening will include one number conducted by the audience with light sticks.
Renée Richardson, Emily Treigle, Benjamin Taylor, and the Madison Symphony Orchestra
performing at Opera in the Park 2025. Photo by Lisa Karr.
WHAT
• Opera in the Park, an annual free outdoor concert produced by Madison Opera, featuring arias and
songs from opera and Broadway.
• The performance will last approximately two hours and 15 minutes, including one intermission.
• The complete repertoire list is available at www.madisonopera.org/oitp26/.
Madison Opera’s Opera in the Park 2026 | 3 of 4
WHEN
Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 8pm
(Rain date: Sunday, July 19 at 8pm)
WHERE
Garner Park, 333 S. Rosa Road, Madison
WHO
Kathryn Henry*, soprano
Zoie Reams*, mezzo-soprano
Joshua Stewart, tenor
Thomas Glass*, baritone
John DeMain, conductor
*Madison Opera debut
WITH
Madison Opera Chorus and Madison Symphony Orchestra
HOSTED BY
Kathryn Smith, General Director of Madison Opera
Brandon Taylor, WKOW TV’s evening anchor
HOW
• Parking is available in University Research Park lots.
• Attendees are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets, and chairs. Alcohol is permitted but not sold in the
park.
• On the day of the concert, Garner Park will open at 7am. Audience members may not leave items in the
park prior to this time.
Published on June 17, 2026