The Queen of Spades (Pique Dame)
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Libretto by Modest Tchaikovsky
Featuring the BLO Chorus, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and the BSO x NEC Honors Children’s Choir
Presented by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with Boston Lyric Opera
Symphony Hall
Friday, January 29, 2027 | 7:30pm
Saturday, January 31, 2027 | 2:00pm
Sung in Russian with English supertitles
Love, ambition, and obsession… would you risk everything?
Russian soldier Hermann has fallen in love with Lisa without realizing that she is engaged to Prince Yeletsky. Upon hearing a rumor that Lisa’s grandmother, the Countess, has a foolproof formula for winning at cards, he becomes obsessed with learning her secret so he can triumph at the gambling table. Based on Alexander Pushkin’s haunting novella, Tchaikovsky’s opera delves into the supernatural as deftly as it explores the age-old story of human greed.
For a third consecutive year, BLO continues its annual partnership with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for a collaborative, semi-staged opera featuring the BLO Chorus alongside the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and the NEC Honors Children’s Choir. The BSO’s Andris Nelsons conducts a robust cast headed by Kristine Opolais (Lisa) and David Butt Philip (Hermann) to present one of Tchaikovsky’s most beloved and successful operas.
Lisa
Hermann
Countess
Polina
Chekalinsky
Tomsky
Yeletsky
Surin
Conductor
BLO Chorus Director
Accessibility: For guests needing accommodations, Symphony Hall recommends arriving at the Cohen Wing entrance located at the front of Symphony Hall (251 Huntington Avenue), where there is a curb cut for wheelchairs and drop-off. Trained usher staff will be able to assist as needed with entering the hall and finding your seat location.
See more at the Symphony Hall’s Accessibility Page to learn more about accessible seating, large-print programs, assistive listening devices, and more. If you have questions about accessibility in the venue, please contact our Audience Services team so that we may best assist you at 617.542.6772 or boxoffice@blo.org.
Restrooms: All restrooms in Symphony Hall are accessible. There is also a gender neutral restroom on the first balcony level, near the Beranek Room.
Amenities: Food and beverages will be available for purchase before the performance and during intermission.
Coat Check: Coat and bag check availability may vary by performance. We encourage guests to travel light when possible.
About the Venue: A cornerstone of Boston’s cultural scene, Symphony Hall is one of the city’s most celebrated concert venues. Renowned for its exceptional acoustics and elegant architecture, it provides an iconic setting for world-class performances.
Public Transportation
Symphony Hall is within walking distance of several MBTA stations:
- By subway: Take the Heath Street/Brigham Circle “E” Green Line train to the Symphony stop. Or take any other Green Line train to the Hynes Convention Center stop, then cross the street to the No. 1 bus or walk 10 minutes south on Mass Ave., or take the Orange Line to the Massachusetts Ave. stop and go north on Mass Ave. to Symphony Hall.
- By bus: Starting in Harvard Square: take the No. 1 (Mass Ave.) bus towards Nubian and get off at the Mass Ave. at Huntington Ave. stop.
Starting at Nubian: take the No. 1 (Mass Ave.) bus towards Harvard Square and get off at the Mass Ave. at St. Botolph St. stop.
Driving Directions
From the North:
- Take I-93 South to Storrow Drive
- Take the Fenway exit
- Take Boylston Street (inbound) to Westland Avenue
- Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
- Symphony Hall will be on your left
From the South:
- Take I-93 North to the Massachusetts Avenue exit
- Proceed approximately seven traffic lights down
- Symphony Hall will be on the left
From the Mass Pike:
- Take Storrow Drive to the Fenway exit
- Take Boylston Street (inbound) to Westland Avenue
- Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
- Symphony Hall will be on your left
or
- Take the Prudential Center / Copley Square exit
- Proceed down Huntington Avenue to Symphony Hall
Parking
SpotHero
Symphony Hall recommends booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation’s leading parking reservations app. To reserve your parking spot, visit the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Parking Page on SpotHero. Contact SpotHero customer service at 844-324-SPOT (7768) if you have any questions.
Additional Garage Options
Christian Science Plaza Garage
235 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
Prudential Center Garage
800 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02115
Westland Avenue Garage
35 Westland Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
Westland Avenue Rates
Gainsborough Garage
10 Gainsborough Street
Boston, MA 02115
Gainsborough Garage Rates
BLO is not affiliated with these parking options, and parking rates and availability are subject to change. Please check directly with each parking provider before your visit.
Nearby Restaurants:
- OAK Long Bar + Kitchen – A new, American brasserie style restaurant in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay.
- Deuxave – Modern Italian-French cuisine using the finest American ingredients sourced from the best local purveyors.
- LUCIE drink + dine – Designed with a spirit of fun and a touch of rock ‘n roll.
- MIDA – Italian-inspired menu with creative small plates in a cozy, stylish environment.
- Symphony Sushi – Fresh sushi and Japanese cuisine just steps from Symphony Hall.
Things to Do:
- Copley Square – Iconic city square with the Boston Public Library and Trinity Church, perfect for photo ops.
- Newbury Street – A vibrant street for shopping, cafes, and people-watching, just a few blocks away.
- Prudential Center Skywalk – Indoor observation deck offering panoramic views of Boston.
- Back Bay Fens or The Charles River Esplanade – Scenic park areas for a short stroll along the gardens or river.
Whether you’re planning a full evening out or a quick stop before curtain, Boston’s Back Bay offers a dynamic mix of dining, culture, and city life just steps from Symphony Hall.
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please reach out to us at boxoffice@blo.org.