Opera for Revolution

On Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM, just ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, PROTESTRA will take the stage at Roulette Intermedium (509 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217) to present Opera for Revolution. The concert of operatic excerpts highlights urgent social issues, interrogates power structures in the U.S. government, and—in the spirit of “America at 250”—encourages audience members to embrace the revolutionary act of voting to protect the American ideals of freedom and equality.

Led by Music & Artistic Director Michelle Rofrano and Associate Conductor Kamna Gupta, the performance features an exciting roster of operatic soloists accompanied by the PROTESTRA Orchestra. Throughout history, composers have used opera’s unique combination of music and drama to hold up a mirror to society, often tackling themes of politics and national identity during times of social upheaval. This concert program honors and continues that legacy, ranging from beloved staples of the repertoire to contemporary works that explore modern issues. Highlights include memorable moments from Rossini’s William Tell, Puccini’s Tosca, Tesori’s Blue, Menotti’s The Consul, Beethoven’s Fidelio, Verdi’s Don Carlo, and more. 

PROTESTRA will donate a portion of ticket proceeds to Acacia Center for Justice, a nonprofit organization that supports and partners with a national network of human rights defenders who provide legal defense to immigrants at risk of detention or deportation. In addition to raising funds for marginalized groups directly affected by voting outcomes, PROTESTRA also hopes to inspire increased civic engagement in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections by sharing educational materials for voters, beginning with a reminder that the voter registration deadline for local New York audiences is Saturday, October 24. To search for your state’s registration deadline, locate your polling place, and more, visit vote.org.

***If you are unable to attend this event in person but would still like to contribute to support Acacia Center for Justice, you may do so through our concert crowdfunding campaign page: donorbox.org/opera-for-revolution

TAKE FURTHER ACTION:

TELL CONGRESS TO PROTECT LEGAL SERVICES FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN - ACTION NETWORK <-

PROGRAM

Overture: Finale

William Tell

Gioachino Rossini

"Dovunque al mondo"

Madama Butterfly

Giacomo Puccini

Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton - Nicholas Huff

Sharpless - Jonathan Patton

Goro - Ramon Gabriel Tenefrancia

"Der Hölle Rache"

Die Zauberflöte

W. A. Mozart

Queen of the Night - Emily Misch

Tarquinius’s Ride / “Within this frail crucible of light"

The Rape of Lucretia

Benjamin Britten

Male Chorus - Jonathan Pierce Rhodes

Tarquinius - Kyle White

Female Chorus - Lisa Marie Rogali

Act II

Tosca

Giacomo Puccini

Floria Tosca - Melissa Citro

Baron Scarpia - Jonathan Patton

Mario Cavaradossi - John Viscardi

Spoletta - Ramon Gabriel Tenefrancia

Sciarrone - Nate Mattingly

“Senza mamma”

Suor Angelica

Giacomo Puccini

Suor Angelica - Laura Soto-Bayomi

"O signor, di Fiandra arrivo"

Don Carlo

Giuseppe Verdi

Rodrigo, Marquis of Posa - Kyle White

Filippo II, King of Spain - Nate Mattingly

"Quiero cantar entre las explosiones"

Ainadamar

Osvaldo Golijov

Federico García Lorca - Lisa Marie Rogali

Margarita Xirgu - Teresa Castillo

"Er sterbe!"

Fidelio

Ludwig van Beethoven

Don Pizarro - Nate Mattingly

Florestan - David Freides

Leonore (Fidelio) - Laura Soto-Bayomi

Rocco - Brian McQueen

Epilogue

Blue

Jeanine Tesori

The Mother - Briana Hunter

The Father - Brian McQueen

The Son - Jonathan Pierce Rhodes

"Nessun dorma"

Turandot

Giacomo Puccini

Calàf - Nicholas Huff

"Va, pensiero”

Nabucco

Giuseppe Verdi

ARTISTIC ADMIN

Michelle Rofrano - Artistic & Music Director

Kamna Gupta - Associate Conductor

Will Cabison - Librarian & Asst. Conductor

Adrienne Boris - Stage Director

Erica Pajonas - Stage Manager

Ian Vlahović - Creative Director

Erin Schwab - Director of Communications

Juan Carlos Narváez - Director of Operations

Scout Sánchez - Projection & Poster Designer

- Opera excerpts will be sung in a variety of languages with projected English supertitles projected in English. Access to a digital program with texts translations will be available for everyone. If you would like a printed booklet with texts and translations, that can be added on to your ticket order.

- We encourage buying tickets in advance, as seating is limited. Seating is general admission by section, which means first come, first served - please refer to the individual ticket descriptions for more info.

***If the cost of a ticket presents a financial barrier, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team: team@protestra.org.

Thank you to our food and drink sponsors!