Since founding Opera Neo in San Diego in 2012, artistic director Peter Kozma continues to expand its boundaries as an international company dedicated to performing rarely produced baroque operas and classical works and offering professional performance opportunities for up-and-coming international singers.
That tradition continues this month with the final three productions of the company’s 2025 summer season.
The season kicked off in May with a production of Vivaldi’s 1733 work “Motezuma,” which was presented in mid-May at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego in Hillcrest.
The cast of Opera Neo’s production of Vivaldi’s “Motezuma,” presented in San Diego in May. (Gary Payne)
There was also an aria gala concert on June 29 in La Jolla, and another concert of early 1900s French songs by composer Reynaldo Hahn is coming up July 11.
The production season continued in June with Haydn’s 1784 work “Armida,” which is the company’s third co-production with the Hungarian State Opera. The first performances, featuring a cast and production team of Hungarian and American artists, was presented at the Eiffel Art Studios in Budapest. That production will now return home to San Diego for performances July 18 and 19 in downtown San Diego.
The season will close at the end of this month with two outdoor performances of Donizetti’s 1832 opera “The Elixir of Love” at the Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa park.
Here’s a look at Opera Neo’s upcoming shows for July. Tickets are on sale at operaneo.com.
A French Salon with Reynaldo Hahn and Friends
This summer recital will feature works by early 1900s French-Venezuelan composer Reynaldo Hahn and his contemporaries Duparc, Chausson, Saint-Saëns, Chaminade, and Poulenc. The program will feature the Opera Neo’s studio artists in two performances next weekend. The first is a solo concert in La Jolla followed by a concert and reception with hors d’oeuvres and drinks, at a private home in Encinitas. Concert only at 7 p.m. Friday at La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave., La Jolla. $10-$55. Concert and dinner, 6 p.m. July 13 in Encinitas (location will be sent with tickets). $315.75.
Vivienne Ortan and Tyrese Byrd in Opera Neo’s production of Haydn’s “Armida,” presented in June in Budapest, Hungary. (Gary Payne)
Joseph Haydn’s ‘Armida’
First presented in Budapest, Hungary, last month, this co-production with the Hungarian State Opera features Haydn’s 1784 work “Armida.” It’s named for the enchantress sent by the devil to seduce and destroy the Christian crusaders aiming to capture the city of Jerusalem. Brave knight Rinaldo falls in love with Armida, who returns his affections and refuses to kill him.
“Haydn’s Armida reminds me of an American ‘indy’ movie,” said András Almási-Tóth, the artistic director of Hungarian State Opera, who directed this production. “While we know that part of the action is going on off-screen in the outside world, the main story is about the intense relationship between two people, all shot in a single living-room. For me, this opera is about the anatomy of a breakup.”
“It is a unique opportunity to bring this remarkable opera to life with our American colleagues — the last work that Haydn composed for his Hungarian patron and employer, Prince Eszterházy, before he moved to London,” Almási-Tóth said. “It is a beautiful piece of music and a very intimate and intensely dramatic work. A perfect opera for young singers to sink their teeth into and learn about themselves as human beings and performers.”
The coproduction features costumes by Richárd Márton and videos designed by Zsombor Czeglédi.
Opera Neo’s artistic director Peter Kozma conducts the production. He said the collaborations with HSO have been fruitful for his company, audiences and the young Hungarian and American singers who are performing in the shows.
“As opera is a global art form, this collaboration is providing us with an ongoing benchmark and opportunities to exchange ideas with both young and established artists from across the Atlantic,” Kozma said.
The production features three Hungarian singers making their company debuts: tenor Botond Pál (as Rinaldo), mezzo-soprano Vivienne Ortan ( as Clotarco), and baritone Norbert Balázs (as Idreno). Two American singers are also making their Opera Neo debuts, tenor Tyrese Byrd (Ubaldo) and soprano Katherine Malone (Zelmira). They are joined by Opera Neo veteran Emily Helebrook who will sing the title role. 8 p.m. July 18 and 19. UC San Diego Park & Market, 1100 Market St., San Diego. $10-$75.
A scene from Opera Neo’s 2024 production of Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” at the Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park. The company returns to the outdoor venue later this month. (Gary Payne)
‘The Elixir of Love’ by Gaetano Donizetti
Donizetti’s popular 1832 comedy is the story of a poor Italian villager named Nemorino who’s in love with the beautiful but unobtainable woman named Adina. She rejects him and becomes engaged to another man, so Nemorino drinks a love potion supplied by a quack doctor hoping it will change her mind. Eventually Adina pledges her love for Nemorino, but not due to any potion. Nemorino has instead inherited a large fortune and becomes the most eligible bachelor in town.
“This delightful summertime comedy is overflowing with beautiful melodies and earworm ensembles that make you feel like you are at a Broadway show,” said Kozma, who is directing the production.
“The Elixir of Love” will be Opera Neo’s third fully staged production presented outdoors at the Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park. The event will feature food and drinks for sale, open art galleries that audience members can visit during intermission and more. Kozma said the Spanish Village performances have become very popular with audiences because of their interactivity and location.
“Our Spanish Village shows go straight to the heart of our mission,” says Kozma. “Meeting people organically where they are, with beautiful music, entertaining and thought-provoking staging, and a fun-filled, welcoming atmosphere — it’s a magical thing to experience, and it’s what Opera Neo is all about.”
The production will be choreographed by Kareem Mack and will star four singers making their company debuts: soprano Alexandra Henderson as Adina, tenor Matteo Adams as Nemorino, baritone Andrew Payne as Belcore and soprano Abigail Baggott as Giannetta. Also joining the cast as the love doctor Dulcamara is returning baritone Revere Taylor. 8 p.m. July 25 and 26. Spanish Village Art Center, 1770 Village Place, Balboa Park, San Diego. $5-$75.