In a special one-night-only event, the Portland Opera will celebrate Maestro Georges Manahanas musical director of the Portland Opera with a concert in his honor. The Portland Opera Chorus and Orchestra will be featured, along with guest artists and friends performing arias and ensemble pieces on a night of celebration. The George & Friends concert will take place on Friday May 13, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. at the Keller Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now.

“We are delighted to meet again to celebrate Georges Manahan this spring,” says Sue Dixon, Executive Director. “We are very grateful for his warmth of spirit and his tenure within the company, and his legacy of artistic excellence in Portland will continue.

Sue Dixon and Artistic Director Priti Gandhi will host this celebratory concert which will feature pieces from beloved works such as Bizet’s Carmen, Wagner’s Tannhäuser, Delibes’ Lakmé, Bernstein’s Candide and Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, under the direction of Maestro Manahan. Many artists and friends will return to the Portland Opera stage, including the mezzo-soprano Suzanne Mars (last seen as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd in 2016), baritone Stephen Powell (last seen in the title role in the 2018 production of Rigoletto), tenor Barry Banks (last seen as the Duke in Rigoletto) and mezzo-soprano Hannah Penn (last seen as Hannah After in As One in 2019). Soprano Nicole Cabellwinner of the 2005 BBC Singer of the World Competition, will make her debut with the company.

All ticket holders, regardless of age, will be required to present proof of full COVID vaccination or negative COVID PCR test results (taken within 72 hours of the performance) to enter the theater. “Fully vaccinated” means that ticket holders received their last vaccination dose of either the two-dose schedule of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one dose from Johnson & Johnson at least 14 days prior to the performance date. Spectators aged 18 and over must also show photo ID. Trained entry staff will be on site at the theater to review proof of vaccination upon arrival.

All patrons, regardless of age, test results, and vaccination status, are required to wear masks inside the theater at all times, except when actively drinking or eating in designated areas. Food is not permitted in the theater. Ticket holders will receive additional instructions on how to prepare for onsite entry activities and what to expect. As guidance continues to change, audience members are encouraged to check our website or contact us prior to performances for the most up-to-date policies. Detailed information on the Portland Opera’s COVID-19 policies are available here.

Portland Opera appreciates the continued support of our generous donors, The Collins Foundation, The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Oregon Arts Commission, The Oregon Community Foundation, the Regional Arts and Culture Council, including support from the City of Portland, Multnomah County, and the Arts Education & Access Fund, special support from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program ).

The George & Friends concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on May 13 at the Keller Auditorium. The songs will be sung in several languages ​​with projected English subtitles. The duration will be 90 minutes, without intermission.

Student tickets are available for this show starting two weeks before the event date. Call 503-241-1802 Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information. Additionally, a limited number of free tickets are available through My Discovery Pass, a program created by the Multnomah County Library that provides access to local museums and cultural institutions for library card holders. A limited number of $5 tickets for Oregon Trail Cardholders are available two weeks before the show. These tickets must be purchased over the phone by calling 503-241-1802.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit portlandopera.orgE-mail concierge@portlandopera.orgor call Customer Services at 503-241-1802.