Toledo Opera will honor veterans with complimentary tickets to the 2025-26 mainstage performances of Carmen and/or The Elixir of Love through a new initiative: Veterans Access Pass. Veterans Access Pass is made possible by a grant through the Commodore Perry Post #3338 of the VFW.
In recognition of their service and sacrifice, complimentary tickets will be available exclusively for veterans for each mainstage production. Toledo Opera will present Carmen on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Valentine Theatre, 400 North Superior, Toledo, OH. Toledo Opera will present The Elixir of Love on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 2 p.m. at the Valentine Theatre, 400 North Superior, Toledo, OH. Up to 20 complimentary tickets are available to veterans for either performance of Carmen, and up to 20 complimentary tickets are available to veterans for either performance of The Elixir of Love.
These complimentary tickets are offered as a heartfelt thank-you to veterans and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations can be made by calling 419-255-7464. A 10% military discount will be extended to guests of veterans. This initiative reflects Toledo Opera’s commitment to celebrating the courage and dedication of those who have served our country while inviting them to enjoy an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling.
“The overwhelming gratitude and joy we witnessed from veterans at South Pacific last season showed us just how deeply opera resonates with those who have served,” shared Toledo Opera Development Officer Leah Whitaker. “That response inspired us to formalize our Veterans Access Pass, ensuring more veterans can share in these meaningful experiences. With America’s upcoming Semi quincentennial, now is the perfect moment to expand this program and honor their service through the arts.”
About Carmen: Bizet’s sizzling epic of dark passion, Carmen, tells the story of a fierce woman who lives life on her own terms – and the men who can’t let her go. Don José, a soldier drawn into her orbit, abandons everything for Carmen’s love, only to find himself consumed by jealousy when her attentions shift to the dashing bullfighter, Escamillo. With its twisting tale of romance, deceit, and disaster set to magnetic melodies, Bizet’s masterpiece, Carmen, has become one of the world’s most popular operas. Featuring some of the most popular music to ever grace the opera stage, Carmen brings every aspect of Bizet’s thrilling tale to life, from its tantalizing beginning to its devastating climax. Under the baton of Adam Turner (Toledo Opera’s Il Trovatore and Roméo & Juliet), Toledo Opera’s vibrant original production is not to be missed. Carmen stars Lisa Marie Rogali as Carmen, Brendan Boyle (Toledo Opera’s Tosca and Ragtime) as Don José, and Joshua Jeremiah (Toledo Opera’s Ragtime) as Escamillo. Carmen is presented in French with English captions.
About The Elixir of Love: Spend Valentine’s Day weekend immersed in the laughter and romance of Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love. When the shy and smitten Nemorino’s dream of winning the strong-willed Adina’s heart seems out of reach, he turns to a traveling purveyor of patent medicines in search of a love potion. After drinking every last drop, he sets off a cascade of comedic chaos. This heartwarming comedy embodies all the richness of Donizetti’s artistry and is simply too good to keep bottled up. Featuring laugh-out-loud moments and touching romance, this original, heartwarming comedy sparkles with wit and whimsy. Presented for the first time in over a decade, The Elixir of Love comes to life in a new production brought to life by conductor J. Ernest Green (Toledo Opera’s South Pacific, Ragtime, and The Merry Widow). The Elixir of Love stars David Walton (Toledo Opera’s Cinderella) as Nemorino, Marnie Breckinridge as Adina, and Jason Budd (Toledo Opera’s Tosca, Cinderella, The Merry Widow, and La Traviata) as Dr. Dulcamara. The Elixir of Love is presented in Italian with English captions.
Toledo Opera will perform Carmen at the Valentine Theatre on Friday, October 10, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 12, at 2 p.m. Toledo Opera will perform The Elixir of Love on Friday, February 13, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 15, at 2 p.m. To learn more about these productions’ cast and production teams and to buy tickets, visit: toledoopera.org. For media access, please contact Rachael Cammarn at rcammarn@toledoopera.org.
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