The Opera Gala

A special one-night-only engagement with Lise Lindström & Morris Robinson. Hold on to your horned helmets!

SoWa Power Station
550 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02118

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Festivities begin | 5:00 PM
Performance begins | 8:00 PM

Join us for Boston Lyric Opera’s The Opera Gala 2025—a bold, joy-filled night where celebration meets spectacular music, all in support of opera’s next generation.
The evening begins with a festive gala dinner: a seated multi-course meal, tributes to remarkable figures, and live fundraising to support BLO’s community and education programming, with special recognition of 15 years of the Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artists Initiative—our investment in tomorrow’s opera stars through expert training, mentorship, and performance opportunities.
Then, without missing a beat, the party erupts into Ride of the Valkyries!—a brand-new operatic revue that kicks off with Wagner’s iconic prelude before launching into a no-holds-barred joyride through the opera canon. Expect mashups, surprises, and powerhouse performances by Lise Lindström, Morris Robinson, members of the Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artists Initiative, and members of the BLO Orchestra led by BLO Music Director David Angus.
From the first toast to the final note, it’s a night of boldness, brilliance, and community—all in support of making opera more open, joyful, and alive for everyone. 
The cause? Vital. 
The music? Unmissable. 
The vibe? 100% BLO. 

 

Seats at The Opera Gala 2025 begin at $2,000, with event sponsorships starting at $5,000.
All gala packages include the Ride of the Valkyries! performance. If you’d like to attend the performance only, learn more here.
For any questions please contact us at donorservices@blo.org or 617-702-8975. 

The SoWa Power Station will be transformed into three distinct areas for the evening: a vibrant cocktail lounge, an elegant dinner hall, and an immersive performance space. Guests will enjoy seamless transitions between each experience throughout the night.

5:00 PM – The Opera Gala Cocktail Hour
6:00 PM – The Opera Gala Dinner & Program
8:00 PM – Ride of the Valkyries!
9:25 PM – A celebration to close the night!

Complimentary parking is included in all sponsorship packages. There are paid lots available at 540 Harrison Avenue, 365 Albany Street, 324 Albany Street, and 274 Albany Street.

Festive cocktail attire. Creative opera-inspired accessories welcome—put the rhinestones and gold in Rhinegold!

SoWa Power Station

550 Harrison Ave | Boston, MA 02118

Guests will enjoy a seated multi-course dinner featuring curated cuisine and wine pairings. The evening’s program includes inspiring speeches, recognition of honorees, and live fundraising to support BLO’s mission.

BLO premieres a bold new operatic revue, Ride of the Valkyries!, featuring Christine Goerke and Morris Robinson, conducted by David Angus with members of the BLO orchestra. This immersive experience blends epic arias and popular stories into a fast-paced, high-flying musical journey. Gala guests and performance-only attendees will share in this unforgettable production!

BLO is proud to honor these extraordinary individuals for their remarkable contributions to the opera community in Boston and beyond.

Jane & Steven Akin

Leadership Honorees

Keith Lockhart

Artistic Honoree

Lee Pelton

Community Honoree

Stephen Shrestinian Award for Excellence
Honoree will be announced at the Gala. The Shrestinian Award supports the advancement of exceptional young artists in the BLO Chorus.

Gala Co-Chairs

  • Alicia Cooney & Stephen Quigley
  • Rumena & Alexander Senchak

Committee Members:

  • Katie & Paul Buttenwieser
  • Wayne Davis & Ann Merrifield
  • Miguel & Suki de Bragança
  • Jennifer Ritvo Hughes & Marcus Hughes
  • Susan W. Jacobs
  • Janika LeMaitre
  • Jo Frances Meyer & Carl Herbert
  • Maria Park
  • Winfield & Linda Perry
  • Janet & Irv Plotkin
  • Christine & Michael Puzo
  • Barbara & Andrew Senchak

Gala Sponsors

Titanium

  • Jane & Steven Akin
  • Katie & Paul Buttenwieser
  • Winfield & Linda Perry

Platinum

  • Linda Cabot Black
  • Willa & Taylor Bodman
  • Alicia Cooney & Stephen Quigley
  • Wayne Davis & Ann Merrifield
  • Maria Park
  • Michael & Christine Puzo

Gold

  • Miguel & Suki de Bragança
  • Barbara & Amos Hostetter
  • Janika & George LeMaitre
  • Janet & Irv Plotkin
  • Russell Philanthropies

Silver

  • Mark & Pam Alcaide
  • Bill & Vicki Barke
  • The Boston Foundation
  • Andrew Eisenberg & John Vetrano
  • Jack D. Gorman
  • Sylvia Han & Bruce Rubenstein
  • Susan W. Jacobs
  • Maria Krokidas & Bruce Bullen
  • Drs. Lynne & Sidney Levitsky
  • John M. & Elizabeth W. Loder
  • Russ Lopez & Andrew Sherman
  • Dr. Joseph Loscalzo & Mrs. Anita Loscalzo
  • Jo Frances Meyer & Carl Herbert
  • Movement Arts Creation Studio
  • Susan & Bill Poduska
  • William & Lia Poorvu
  • Erinn & Jason Rhodes
  • Steve & Gerry Ricci
  • Betsy Ridge & David Scudder
  • Barbara & Andrew Senchak
  • Rumena & Alexander Senchak
  • Jerry Wheelock & Elizabeth Wood

as of Tuesday, October 28, 2025

  • $50,000 Titanium Sponsorship
    • Ten table seats at The Opera Gala 2025 and performance of Ride of the Valkyries!
    • Opportunity to host BLO artists and community partners at your table
    • Sponsorship recognition in concert and gala materials
    • Complimentary parking
    • Invitation to dinner with BLO artistic leadership
    • Meet & greet with lead artists
    • Sponsorship of an artist in Ride of the Valkyries! or other 2025/26 OnStage production
    • Sponsor and guest access to all 2025/26 Orfeo Lounges & Opening Night Parties
    • Special commemorative gala gift
    • Additional benefits to be confirmed
  • $25,000 Platinum Sponsorship
    • Ten table seats at The Opera Gala 2025 and performance of Ride of the Valkyries!
    • Opportunity to host BLO artists and community partners at your table
    • Sponsorship recognition in concert and gala materials
    • Complimentary parking
    • Invitation to dinner with BLO artistic leadership
    • Meet & greet with lead artists
    • Sponsor and guest access to all 2025/26 Orfeo Lounges & Opening Night Parties
    • Special commemorative gala gift
    • Additional benefits to be confirmed
  • $15,000 Gold Sponsorship
    • Five table seats at The Opera Gala 2025 and performance of Ride of the Valkyries!
    • Sponsorship recognition in concert and gala materials
    • Complimentary parking
    • Sponsor and guest access to all 2025/26 Orfeo Lounges
    • Special commemorative gala gift
  • $5,000 Silver Sponsorship
    • Two table seats at The Opera Gala 2025 and performance of Ride of the Valkyries!
    • Sponsorship recognition in concert and gala materials
    • Complimentary parking
    • Sponsor and guest access to all 2025/26 Orfeo Lounges
    • Special commemorative gala gift
  • $2,000 Single Ticket
    • One table seat at The Opera Gala 2025 and performance of Ride of the Valkyries!
    • Special commemorative gala gift
  • $500 Single PRIMA Ticket
    (BLO’s vibrant and dynamic social group dedicated to fostering a love for opera among young professionals ages 21-45.)

    • One table seat at The Opera Gala 2025 and performance of Ride of the Valkyries!
    • Special commemorative gala gift
    • If you are interested in PRIMA tickets please email donorservices@blo.org.
  • $300 and under – Performance Only Tickets
    • Ride of the Valkyries! is part of BLO’s Opera Gala 2025, but performance-only tickets are available for those joining us exclusively for the show. Ticket prices range from $40 to $300.

Corporate opportunities also available. Contact us at donorservices@blo.org for more information.