Carpentry 

In Handel’s gorgeous musical drama Semele is engaged to a prince, but she’s really in love with Jupiter, the king of the gods. This forbidden passion between mortal and immortal brings them endless pleasure and endless love… until the goddess Juno, Jupiter’s betrayed wife, plans a fiery end to their torrid affair.
First performed at Covent Garden in 1744, Semele contains some of Handel’s most lyrical arias and dramatic choruses. Part opera, part oratorio, the compelling work is a rich and unique mix of comedy and tragedy and perfect for The Barns.

​This heartbreaking retelling of the biblical tale of “Susannah and the Elders” is considered the quintessential American opera. Set in the Appalachian Mountains, Susannah innocently incites the lust of the town elders, who demand their minister force her to repent sins for which she is not guilty. Carlisle Floyd’s use of idiomatic American folk songs throughout the score captures the essence of Susannah’s plight and creates effective melodrama and lyrical storytelling solidifying Floyd’s place in the canon of great American composers. Wolf Trap Opera premiere.

​Crazy for You is a romantic comedy musical with a book by Ken Ludwig, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin. Billed as "The New Gershwin Musical Comedy", it is largely based on the songwriting team's 1930 musical Girl Crazy, but also incorporates songs from several other productions.

Based on Goethe’s play, Gounod’s opera asks if the freedom of youth is worth an eternity in hell. It is to the aging Faust, who makes a pact with Méphistophélès to exchange his soul for another chance for youth and love. With his youth restored, Faust woos the lovely Marguerite; but Faust soon realizes his salvation is tragically bound to others, including those he loves most.
Gounod’s popular masterpiece explodes with memorable music, arias, trios and gripping scenes which will amaze as only a live performance can.

Widely considered the first great German romantic opera, Der Freischütz (The Marksman) is an irresistible mix of folklore, romance, and the ageless struggle between good and evil. A young forester, striving to prove himself worthy of winning the hand of his beloved through a shooting contest, makes a deal with the devil. Driven by love, and the misguided need for victory, the devil is ultimately defeated and forgiveness wins the day in Wolf Trap Opera’s premiere of this picturesque tale and lush, dramatic score.

A musical adaptation of the classic Hans Christian Andersen story, The Ugly Duckling, incorporating a message of tolerance. Follow the tale of “Ugly” (a misplaced cygnet thought to be an ugly duckling by his family) as he navigates rejection, fitting in, and fending for his life against a sly tomcat out to eat him for lunch.