Abigail Adams
A contemporary opera by Judge Richard Owen | November 6–8, 2026
Abigail Adams is a powerful and timely opera that brings to life one of the most intelligent, courageous, and influential voices of America’s founding era. Centered on the woman who urged her husband, John Adams, and the nation’s early leaders to “remember the ladies,” the work explores the personal and political dimensions of the American experiment through themes of liberty, conscience, family, and civic responsibility.
With its blend of historical insight and emotional immediacy, Abigail Adams offers audiences a fresh way to engage with the nation’s origins, not as distant mythology, but as a living conversation about democracy, equality, and whose voices are heard. In celebration of America 250, the opera is an especially fitting work: honoring the past while speaking directly to the questions and aspirations of the present.
Tickets: $30 & Free for Students
A limited number of free tickets are available for each performance thanks to our generous donors, no questions asked!
We kindly ask you to purchase your ticket(s) if you are able to afford it.
Friday, November 6 · 7:00 PM
Union Baptist Church, Mystic, CT
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Saturday, November 7 · 7:00 PM
Old State House, Hartford, CT
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Sunday, November 8 · 3:00 PM
Shaw Mansion, New London, CT
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PAST PERFORMANCES
Orchestrataing Peace
Presented by Connecticut Lyric Opera and 3 Rotary Clubs of Southern CT (New London, Meriden, and Madison), this special event is part of Rotary’s Opus for Peace initiative, a global movement that uses the arts to build bridges, foster empathy, and promote understanding across cultures. The performance will take place at the historic Lighthouse Inn, a fitting setting for an evening dedicated to light, connection, and renewal. The concert features three extraordinary artists: internationally acclaimed cellist Diego Carneiro, founder of the Youth Orchestra of Ecuador; soprano Jūratė Švedaitė, Artistic Director of Connecticut Lyric Opera; and distinguished pianist Samuel Orem. Together, they will offer a program of stirring works with a Latin flair, including Villa-Lobos and Piazzolla, reflecting the universal language of hope and reconciliation that lies at the heart of Opus for Peace
Nov. 2025 performances in New London and Bridgewater, MA
Jan. 2026 performances in Hamden and Madison
What It Costs to Sing: A Recital with Kelly Whitesell
The program weaves together art song and puppetry to explore a theme as old as art itself — the uneasy relationship between creativity and commerce. Selections from Richard Strauss’s wickedly sardonic Krämerspiegel anchor the evening, a cycle that skewers the music industry with the precision of someone who lived it. Shadow puppetry transforms these songs into something cinematic and viscerally alive, elevating even the smallest art song to the level of spectacle. The evening promises both bite and delight — a program that asks what it truly costs to make art, and answers with music, shadow, and no small amount of wit.
Friday, May 22 · Connecticut College, New London, CT in collaboration with Thames Valley Music School
Saturday, May 23 · Old Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Bloomfield, CTFriday, May 22 · Connecticut College, New London, CT
In collaboration with Thames Valley Music School
Saturday, May 23 · Old Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Bloomfield, CT
NOW That’s What I Call Opera!
Inspired by the NOW That’s What I Call Music! albums, this concert brings together some of the most celebrated music ever written for the operatic stage. Featuring beloved works by Puccini, Verdi, Mozart, and more, the program includes soaring arias, powerful ensembles, and iconic selections such as “Nessun dorma” from Turandot, “Vissi d’arte” from Tosca, and “Der Hölle Rache” (Queen of the Night aria) from The Magic Flute. From moments of intimate lyricism to thrilling dramatic intensity, NOW That’s What I Call Opera offers an evening of timeless music showcasing the beauty, virtuosity, and power of opera. This concert features several amazing artists: Jūratė Švedaitė, soprano; Kelly Whitesell, soprano; Anastasia Rege, soprano; Rebecca de Almeida, mezzo-soprano; Daniel Juárez, tenor; Chris Gallerani, tenor; Steven Fredericks, bass; Sam Oram, pianist; and Dara Blackstone, choir master.
Friday, July 31 · Garde Arts Center, New London, CT
Saturday, August 1 · Jesse Lee Church, Ridgefield, CT