News from the Noteworthy from The Glimmerglass Festival
Discovering the Magic of Glimmerglass
The Glimmerglass Festival officially opened its 2026 season this past weekend with one of the most memorable opening nights in recent memory—hard to imagine, given the success of last season’s 50th anniversary celebrations!
The evening began with a sold-out Festival Dinner featuring a lively conversation with “Oklahoma!” Director and Artistic and General Director Emerita Francesca Zambello. We then took to the front of the Alice Busch Opera Theater to unveil our 50th Anniversary Campaign donor wall—a stunning new addition to our theater—followed by a festive brass fanfare and champagne toast.
Before the curtain went up, the Glimmerglass Festival Orchestra led a touching rendition of “America the Beautiful” with a packed theater singing along. The energy throughout the weekend was a powerful reminder that Glimmerglass is much more than a theater—it is a destination where world-class artistry and community come together.
Audiences travel here from around the world for an intimate experience with internationally-acclaimed artists performing opera and musical theater in one of America’s most beautiful settings. Yet what makes Glimmerglass truly unforgettable is that the experience extends far beyond the stage. For six weeks each summer, our campus comes alive with music, conversation, celebration and discovery, creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the performing arts.
