Step behind the curtain and experience the thrilling process of artistic transformation. In this rare public masterclass, Canto’s co-founders and opera experts open the doors to an unforgettable experience — where you’ll witness singers evolve before your eyes, from skilled vocalists into expressive, captivating artists.

Performance specialist Sharon Mohar (Canto’s Artistic Director) and vocal coach Liora Maurer (Assistant Conductor, Metropolitan Opera; Canto’s Director of Opera Studies) lead a profound, moment-to-moment journey of discovery, emotion, and artistic growth. Watch as music transcends technique and becomes storytelling, passion, and human connection.

This 90-minute experience is perfect for everyone — from lifelong opera lovers to those simply curious about the art form. Whether you’re a musician, a student, or a first-time listener, you’ll be moved by the transformation unfolding before you.

✨ Free admission with RSVP. Open to all ages.

Discover the elegance, power, and emotional depth of Italian Opera in this inspiring masterclass led by Lucy Arner, Conductor and Music Director of Canto. As a conductor, pianist and vocal coach, she has collaborated with many of the world’s most celebrated singers, notably Luciano Pavarotti, Monserrat Caballé and Joan Sutherland.

With professional credits at both the Gran Theatre del Liceu and the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Arner draws on her vast experience to help singers navigate the traditions and stylistic nuances of Italian Opera.

In this session, she offers emerging artists a conductor’s perspective, showing how phrasing, dynamics and dramatic nuance come together to being Italian opera vividly to life.

Experience an extraordinary masterclass with world-renowned soprano Elizabeth Futral. Celebrated for her radiant voice, dramatic versatility, and artistry spanning from Baroque masterpieces to contemporary premieres, Ms. Futral has graced the stages of the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, Deutsche Oper Berlin, San Francisco Opera, and many others.

Having collaborated with legendary conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim, and Sir Colin Davis, she brings unparalleled depth and insight to her teaching. This masterclass offers singers and audiences alike the chance to experience the artistry and wisdom of a true operatic luminary— a rare opportunity to learn from one of opera’s most captivating voices.

How Composers Create Meaning

Which came first – the image, or the music? 

Join pianist Dr. Katherine Driscoll on a journey exploring how composers create images and narrative through music. 

The program features works by Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Grieg, and more.

An accomplished performer and dedicated educator, Dr. Driscoll has appeared in recitals and as a soloist with orchestras throughout the United States and abroad. Her performances are noted for their musical insight, sensitivity, and vibrant communication.

For over two decades, Ken Weiss has been shaping the next generation of opera talent as the Principal Coach of the Cafritz Young Artists at Washington National Opera. Since joining WNO in 1998, he has prepared more than 100 productions as pianist, conductor, and diction coach, and played a pivotal role in developing over 30 world premieres by composers including Missy Mazzoli, Kamala Sankaram, Jeanine Tesori, and Scott Wheeler. His artistry and insight have guided singers who now grace the world’s leading stages.

In this special open session, Weiss invites audiences to witness the intimate process of interpretation and refinement, where precision meets passion and young artists grow before your eyes.

Join us for an enchanting evening of choral beauty and four-hand piano artistry featuring Liora Mauer and Jennifer Quinones. Canto and Inspiro unite to present a captivating program of works by Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and Debussy.

The program brings together Inspiro’s rich choral sound and a captivating four-hand piano performance, creating an evening of variety, connection, and musical depth.

Join us for a rare and inspiring evening as we open the rehearsal doors to the distinguished conductor Steven White working live with the Canto singers.

Praised by Opera News for his ability to “squeeze every drop of excitement and pathos from the score,” Steven White is one of North America’s leading operatic and symphonic conductors. With a career that includes a debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 2010 and acclaimed engagements across major companies and conservatories, he brings exceptional artistry and insight.

This evening offers a rare opportunity to witness the creative process firsthand — to see Maestro White in action as he guides the singers, shaping phrasing, balance, and expression in moments typically reserved for the ensemble alone. Whether you are a seasoned music enthusiast or simply curious about how vocal music comes together, this open rehearsal promises an illuminating and memorable experience.

An unforgettable evening of music and storytelling awaits in Kurt Weill: From Berlin to Broadway, a celebration of a composer who transformed the stages of Europe and America with his daring spirit and unmistakable sound.

A visionary artist, Kurt Weill bridged worlds—from the biting cabarets of Weimar Berlin and the salons of Paris to the glittering lights of Broadway—blending classical sophistication with popular song and giving voice to the dreams, struggles, and ironies of the modern age. His music reshaped the very idea of what theater could express: human, political, and profoundly alive.

Canto creates the intimacy of a cabaret, where Weill’s songs come alive once more—Music of longing, irony, and fierce humanity.

Guiding the evening is Maurice Lugassy, Professor of French Culture and an engaging storyteller, who brings his deep knowledge and passion for the intersection of music, literature, and history. With insight and charm, he weaves reflections and context between performances, illuminating the world that shaped Weill’s art and the enduring resonance of his music today.

Who says opera is only for grown-ups?
Step into a world of music, laughter, and imagination, where families and children of all ages meet heroes and villains, princes and princesses, and embark on thrilling adventures through the magic of opera.

We welcome new audiences and unlock memories for others. Opera, after all, is the ultimate theatrical adventure, an extraordinary story told through words, movement, and music.

With our family program, Who’s Afraid of Opera?, we invite children and adults alike to explore this timeless art form in a fun, interactive way, full of humor, mystery, and live music.

Event suitable for all ages, including young children and toddlers.

Join Canto’s singers for The (Very) Romantic Concert—an evening filled with passion, beauty, and timeless music. Experience soaring arias and tender duets that capture the joy, heartbreak, and intensity of love on stage. A perfect night out for opera fans, romantics, and anyone who believes in the power of music to move the heart.

Experience the thrill and drama of opera and take part in an evening of passion, power, and unforgettable music. Canto’s singers proudly present a series of fully staged scenes from beloved operas, bringing to life the most breathtaking moments from the operatic repertoire.

From tender duets to fiery confrontations, each scene captures the heart of the story, where emotions run high and music speaks beyond words.

This event marks the grand finale of this year’s festival, concluding four intensive weeks of Canto Vocal Programs in Virginia.

Whether you are a lifelong opera lover or new to the art form, you will not forget your Evening at the Opera!