The Gift of the Magi

A Holiday Celebration of Love, Music & Community

Opera Steamboat is delighted to welcome Opera Colorado to the Yampa Valley for a special holiday presentation of The Gift of the Magi, an intimate and heartwarming opera based on O. Henry’s beloved short story.

Thursday, December 17, 2026
& Friday, December 18, 2026
Doors: 6:30 PM | Performance: 7:00 PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
846 Oak Street
Steamboat Springs, CO

Join us at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for two festive evenings of beautiful music and storytelling, followed by a special selection of holiday favorites performed by Opera Colorado’s talented artists.

About The Gift of the Magi

With music by composer David Conte and a libretto by Nicholas Giardini, The Gift of the Magi brings to life the timeless story of Jim and Della, a young couple determined to make Christmas special for one another despite their limited means.

As each searches for the perfect gift, their acts of generosity lead to an unexpected and touching discovery about the true meaning of giving. Filled with warmth, humor, and heartfelt music, this charming opera celebrates love, sacrifice, and the things that matter most.

Whether you’re a longtime opera enthusiast or experiencing opera for the first time, The Gift of the Magi offers a wonderful opportunity to share the joy of live music with family and friends this holiday season.

Admission

In keeping with Opera Steamboat’s commitment to making the musical arts accessible to everyone, admission is donation-encouraged, with a suggested contribution of $50 per person.

There is no required ticket price, and all are welcome regardless of their ability to contribute. Your generosity helps us bring exceptional artists and live performances to the Yampa Valley while removing financial barriers to participation.

We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you!

Meet the Artists from Opera Colorado

This production features the remarkable talents of Opera Colorado’s Resident Artists, a group of emerging professional singers bringing fresh energy and artistry to the operatic stage.

Featured Cast:

Bridget Ravenscraft, soprano — Della
Bridget Ravenscraft returns to Opera Colorado for her second season as a soprano Resident Artist. Her performances with the company include Annina in La traviata, Juliet in Romeo & Juliet, and Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance. This season, she will appear in Earth to Kenzie, The Snowy Day, and Macbeth, and will make her Boulder Opera Company debut as Marguerite in Gounod’s Faust.

Bridget holds an Artist Diploma from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and has performed with Des Moines Metro Opera, BayView Music Festival, and Quisisana Resort. She was awarded second prize in the Krannert Debut Artist Competition.

Mason O’Brien, baritone — Jim
Mason Fontanilla O’Brien, a baritone from Memphis, Tennessee, returns to Opera Colorado for his second season as an Artist in Residence. His performances with the company include Barone Douphol in La traviata, Prince Yamadori in Madama Butterfly, Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette, and the Major General in The Pirates of Penzance. This season, he will appear in Macbeth, The Snowy Day, Earth to Kenzie, and The School for Lovers (Così fan tutte).

Mason holds a Master of Music from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Kentucky. He has also performed with Fort Collins Opera, Prague Summer Nights, Lamont Opera, and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.

Xiao Xiao, mezzo-soprano — Maggie
Chinese mezzo-soprano Xiao Xiao joins Opera Colorado as a Resident Artist for the 2026–27 season, performing in Macbeth, Earth to Kenzie, and The School for Lovers (Così fan tutte). Her extensive operatic repertoire includes leading roles in La Cenerentola, L’enfant et les sortilèges, The Grapes of Wrath, Madama Butterfly, and The Gift of the Magi.
Xiao has performed with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, The Glimmerglass Festival, and other distinguished companies. A Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition District Winner and prizewinner of several international competitions, she holds degrees from the China Conservatory of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and New England Conservatory, as well as a Doctor of Musical Arts from Michigan State University.

Emily Thompson, soprano — Magi
Emily Thompson, a soprano originally from South Florida, joins Opera Colorado as a Resident Artist for the 2026–27 season. Her performances this season include Macbeth, Earth to Kenzie, The Snowy Day, and The School for Lovers (Così fan tutte). Her recent credits include the title role in Suor Angelica, Wellgunde in Das Rheingold, and several world and regional premieres of contemporary operas.
Emily holds a Master of Music from Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. She has performed with Chicago-based ensembles Consonance and La Caccina and appeared as soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah with the Illiana Oratorio Society. In 2025, she received an Encouragement Award in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.

Stage Director: Diane Machin

Music Director: Connor Buckley

Following the opera, the artists will return for a festive program of holiday music, bringing an extra touch of seasonal cheer to this special evening.

Presented by Opera Steamboat in partnership with Opera Colorado.

The Met Opera on the Big Screen

Metropolitan Opera Live in HD — 2026–27 Season

Opera Steamboat is excited to partner with Wildhorse Arts & Cinema to bring the Metropolitan Opera’s award-winning Live in HD series to the Yampa Valley. This season, audiences can experience the full Met Opera 2026–27 season right here in Steamboat Springs.

Saint-Saëns’s Samson et Dalila

Saturday, December 5, 2026
Doors: 9:30 AM | Live Transmission: 10:00 AM
Wildhorse Arts & Cinema

Experience Camille Saint-Saëns’s magnificent French opera Samson et Dalila, a dramatic tale of love, betrayal, and the legendary strength of the biblical hero Samson. Torn between his devotion to his people and his passion for the alluring Dalila, Samson faces a devastating choice with extraordinary consequences.

This spectacular production stars mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina as Dalila and tenor Clay Hilley as Samson, with Giacomo Sagripanti conducting. The acclaimed cast also features Quinn Kelsey as the High Priest of Dagon, alongside Alfred Walker and Morris Robinson. Featuring breathtaking music, a powerful chorus, and lavish staging, this is French grand opera at its finest.

Live transmission from The Metropolitan Opera
Runtime: Approximately 3 hours, 55 minutes
Language: French with English subtitles

Event Details

Doors: 9:30 AM
Live Transmission: 10:00 AM
Tickets: $25

Join us before the performance for complimentary small bites and wine. Additional concessions will be available for purchase.

Reserved seating: Select your specific seat when purchasing your ticket.

Presented in partnership with Wildhorse Cinema and The Metropolitan Opera.

CU Buffoons in Concert

A Steamboat Tradition Returns!

Opera Steamboat is thrilled to welcome the CU Buffoons back to the Yampa Valley for a lively evening of a cappella music, humor, and entertainment at Wildhorse Arts & Cinema!

Saturday, February 20, 2027
Doors: 6:30 PM | Performance: 7:00 PM
Wildhorse Arts & Cinema

Founded in 1962, the CU Buffoons are the University of Colorado Boulder’s oldest a cappella group, with more than six decades of musical tradition. Known for their rich vocal harmonies, infectious energy, and playful sense of humor, the Buffoons perform an ever-evolving repertoire spanning beloved classics from the 1960s to contemporary favorites.

The Buffoons have a long history of visiting Steamboat Springs, and we’re delighted to continue this tradition by welcoming a new generation of talented singers to our community this winter. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering the Buffoons for the first time, this is an evening of music and laughter you won’t want to miss!

Learn more about the CU Buffoons at cubuffoons.org.

Admission

Admission is donation-encouraged, with a suggested contribution of $50 per person. All are welcome, regardless of their ability to contribute.

Want to Support Opera Steamboat?

Like what Opera Steamboat is doing in our community? Your support helps us bring exceptional artists, educational programs, and live opera to the Yampa Valley.

Your donation helps make programs like Opera in the Schools possible and allows us to continue creating meaningful musical experiences for students, families, and audiences throughout our community.

Interested in sponsoring Isabella’s residency, supporting this concert, or helping fund a future educational program? We’d love to hear from you.

adam@operasteamboat.org

Cuban Art Song Project

A Celebration of Cuban Music, Education & Community

This fall, Opera Steamboat is bringing the Cuban Art Song Project to the Yampa Valley as part of our 2026 Opera in the Schools program.

From September 21 through October 9, soprano Isabella Lamadriz will visit schools throughout the Yampa Valley, introducing students to the music, rhythms, traditions, and stories of Cuba through interactive educational programs.

The residency will culminate in a special public concert at Wildhorse Cinema, where students, families, and community members will have the opportunity to experience this music performed live by Isabella and her collaborators.

About the Cuban Art Song Project

The Cuban Art Song Project (CASP) is dedicated to preserving, performing, and expanding the rich tradition of Cuban art song, zarzuela, and popular music. The project seeks to bring underrepresented Cuban repertoire to new audiences and encourage its place within the broader canon of regularly performed art music.

Through professional recordings, concerts, and educational resources, CASP works to make this music more accessible to performers, students, and audiences around the world. In 2026, the project is placing a particular emphasis on education and community outreach, developing programs that introduce students to Cuban rhythms, melodies, and cultural traditions.

Learn more about the Cuban Art Song Project at cubanartsongproject.org.

The Culminating Concert

Cuban Art Song Project: An Evening of Cuban Music

Friday, October 9, 2026
Wildhorse Cinema — Take 5 Theater
Doors: 7:00 PM | Concert: 7:30 PM

Join Isabella Lamadriz, Pablo Zinger, and Takafumi Nikaido for an extraordinary evening of Cuban music celebrating the culmination of Opera Steamboat’s 2026 Opera in the Schools program.

Students who participated in the program, their families, and the entire community are invited to experience the music they’ve been exploring in the classroom performed live by these exceptional artists.

Celebrate the New Branham Strawberry Park Amphitheatre
with the Opera Cowgirls

Join Opera Steamboat and Piknik Theatre for a special summer evening under the Colorado sky as we welcome the Opera Cowgirls to the new Branham Strawberry Park Amphitheatre on Friday, July 3, 2026.

Known for their extraordinary vocal artistry, Western spirit, and engaging storytelling, the Opera Cowgirls deliver performances that are as entertaining as they are inspiring. Blending beloved operatic favorites with warmth, humor, and audience-friendly charm, they create a concert experience that appeals to seasoned arts lovers and first-time attendees alike. Learn more…

This performance also marks a celebration of one of Steamboat Springs’ newest cultural gathering spaces. Set against the stunning backdrop of Strawberry Park, the amphitheatre provides a beautiful setting for an unforgettable evening of music and community.

Event Details

Opera Cowgirls in Concert
Friday, July 3, 2026
7:00–8:30 PM
Gates open at 6:30 PM

Branham Strawberry Park Amphitheatre
Steamboat Springs, Colorado