Arias & Librettos

What Does Portland Want from Opera?

To bring the ancient art form into the present, local companies are queering the canon and moving offstage, while others hold to tradition.

02/18/2026 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen Illustrations by Klaus Kremmerz

seeing things

Portland Authors Present Norwegian Film Dreams at the Tomorrow Theater

Plus the history of Portland concert posters at Mint Gallery Records, and more.

11/13/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

Performance

Portland Opera Brings The Central Park Five to Life

The 2020 Pulitzer Prize winner will run through the end of March at the Newmark Theatre.

03/18/2022 By Conner Reed

Arts News

Portland’s Arts Scene Is Undergoing a Massive Changing of the Guard

In the past year, a stunning number of Portland’s arts organizations have shuffled leadership at the highest levels. What now?

03/17/2022 By Conner Reed Illustrations by Álvaro Bernis

Performance

Old Moody Stages Brings the Performing Arts to Portland's South Waterfront

A new collaboration between Portland dance, music, and theater orgs will feature a month of programming on the grounds where Zidell Companies used to construct ships.

07/27/2021 By Conner Reed

Opera

Who’s the Portland Opera Singer with a Viral Video and a TV Invitation from Kelly Clarkson?

Meet Emmanuel Henreid, and his new project, Livin' in the Light.

07/04/2020 By Fiona McCann

Opera

Can Portland Opera’s In the Penal Colony Make Kafka Sing?

This handsome production of Philip Glass’s popular chamber opera has trouble sustaining an impact.

08/01/2019 By Conner Reed

Aria Ready?

Pop-Up Opera Returns to Portland This Summer

It's like a food cart, but for opera.

06/19/2018 By Fiona McCann

Opera

A Theater Innovator Teams Up with Portland Opera for a Night of Passion

A David Lang double bill gets its West Coast premiere this July.

06/12/2017 By Fiona McCann

The Essentials

PDX Jazz Festival to the Last Artful, Dodgr: February’s Pop Culture Hot List

The album, festival, show, and book you need to know this month.

01/23/2017 By Fiona McCann

OPERA

Behind the Scenes with the Funny Man of the Portland Opera

Stephen Condy talks Seinfeld and snake oil, and why opera doesn’t have to be a serious business.

07/15/2015 By Fiona McCann

OPERATICS

The French Coach, Fight Master, and Flamenco Dancer: on Whipping Carmen Into Shape

We talk with three behind-the-scenes consultants working to make Portland Opera's Carmen (opening Feb 6) worthy of your most passionate olé.

01/27/2015 By Mary Stutzman

LONG STORY SHORT

Portland Opera Turns 50 This Month—and One Woman Has Been There For It All

From chorus girl to costume queen, Frances Britt has been involved with almost every Portland Opera production of the past half century. We look back at some of the wildest moments—and wildest costumes.

11/03/2014 By Aaron Scott

ARTS CALENDAR

Looking Forward to the 2014/2015 Arts Season

Consider this your arts season cliffhanger: a look at what's to come when your favorite arts orgs come back from summer vacation next fall.

07/01/2014 By Nathan Tucker

WEEKEND PICKS

Top Things To Do This Weekend: Jan 30–Feb 2

Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis release Wildwood's finale, Dweezil Zappa plays dad's old songs, and Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre takes on an even older Norse legend.

01/30/2014 By Nathan Tucker

WEEKEND PICKS

Top Things To Do This Weekend: Nov 7-10

Siren Nation celebrates women in art, NWFC toasts Northwest filmmaking, the galleries glorify First Thursday, and Mortified roasts adolescent angst. The arts get their party this weekend.

11/07/2013 By Portland Monthly Staff Edited by Nathan Tucker

WEEKEND PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: Oct 31-Nov 3

A decapitated head at the opera, a mortifying movie at the Mission, a scary-danceable band at the Roseland—who says Halloween ends Thursday?

10/31/2013 By Portland Monthly Staff Edited by Nathan Tucker

WEEKEND PICKS

Top Things To Do This Weekend: Sept 19-22

The National hits Edgefield, TBA barrels through the weekend, and Todd Barry banters with the audience in another September weekend of sizzling events.

09/19/2013 By Portland Monthly Staff Edited by Nathan Tucker

Slideshow

Slide Show: Fall Arts Guide 2013

08/20/2013

ARTS NEWS

Portland Opera Vet Sings the Part of Leno

Tenor Richard Troxell sings Leno in his duet with Jimmy Fallon spoofing "Tonight" from 'West Side Story.'

04/02/2013 By Aaron Scott