Student Night at the Opera
Student Night at the Opera
Introduce Your Students to the Magical World of Opera.
Students and youth organizations in grades three through twelve are invited to attend the final dress rehearsal of San Diego Opera productions — at no charge. All performances are at the San Diego Civic Theatre.
- School and group leaders receive a study guide on each opera and must attend a virtual workshop. The operas are sung in their original language with English and Spanish translations projected above the stage.
- Group size: minimum of ten (with no more than two adults) and maximum of 60 (with at least one chaperone for every ten students)
- Title 1 schools or organizations located in Title 1 neighborhoods may apply for bus reimbursement of up to $500.
- Advance registration is required.
- Not all operas are suitable for all ages. Unless otherwise noted, operas are suitable for students in grades 3-12.
Upcoming Student Nights at the Opera:
The Barber of Seville, Wednesday, February 11, 2026
6:30 – 9:00 pm
For grades 3–12
Carmen, Wednesday, March 25, 2026
6:30 – 9:30 pm
For grades 4–12
For more information, email us at Educate@sdopera.org or call (619) 533-7000.
Student Night at the Opera is generously supported by the City of San Diego, the Prebys Foundation, the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation, and the many individual donors who care about introducing the next generation of opera lovers to this art form. Carmen Student Night at the Opera is supported by University of San Diego.
Study Guides for Download
- The Barber of Seville (coming soon)
- Carmen (coming soon)
The Barber of Seville
By Gioachino Rossini
Sung in Italian with English and Spanish translations projected above the stage.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
6:30 – 9:00 pm
For Grades 3-12 and chaperones
Rossini’s hilarious prequel to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro was considered a must-see long before Bugs Bunny brought its frenetic overture to an even larger audience. Count Almaviva is in love with the beautiful Rosina, but how can he get past her paranoid and greedy guardian, Dr. Bartolo? Enter the charismatic, quick-witted barber Figaro, who will stop at nothing to play matchmaker for his lovesick friend. Filled with side-splitting hijinks, mistaken identities, and some of the most popular opera music ever written, this Barber will have you rolling in the aisles before you leave humming Rossini’s infectious tunes.
Carmen
By Georges Bizet
Sung in French with English and Spanish translations projected above the stage.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
6:30 – 9:30 pm
For students in grades 4-12 and chaperones
The most fearless and indomitable heroine in all opera is back! When Carmen tosses a flower to the soldier Don José, he becomes obsessed, leaving his post to join her band of smugglers. But when she loses interest and sets her sights on a bullfighter, Don José may not be able to handle the rejection. With a score packed with opera classics, including the “Habanera,” the “Toreador Song,” and one of the greatest overtures ever written, you’ll be joining Don José as you fall under the spell of Carmen.
Transportation Reimbursement
- Reimbursement of up to $500 from San Diego Opera is only available for Title 1 schools and groups located in Title 1 school neighborhoods.
- Schools and groups must schedule their own buses.
- Schools in districts that provide school buses must use those district buses. San Diego Opera is not able to reimburse schools with access to school district buses for charter bus expenses.
- You should only schedule a bus after you have been informed about the status of your ticket request.
- Within 30 days of attending Student Night, please invoice San Diego Opera directly (the maximum invoice amount is $500) by submitting an electronic invoice to educate@sdopera.org.
- Each invoice must be addressed to San Diego Opera, identify the school or group, include the date of the Student Night, and bill San Diego Opera specifically for the amount due.
This program is limited to K-12 public and private schools and youth groups from nonprofit organizations or government agencies only. A minimum of ten people per group, including no more than two chaperones, is required.
For more information, contact (619) 533-7000 or email educate@sdopera.org.
Student Night at the Opera is generously supported by grants from City of San Diego Arts and Culture Commission, The Prebys Foundation, and many individual donors who care about introducing the next generation of opera lovers to this art form.
Corporate Sponsors
