A major milestone: LA Opera's first public performance in over a year.
Stravinsky based Oedipus Rex on the ancient Greek tragedy of the same name by Sophocles—yes, the one where Oedipus unknowingly kills his own father and marries his mother. The 1927 opera is a highly stylized, ritualistic work; in fact, the composer specifically requested that it be staged with minimal movement (which works well with COVID restrictions). A narrator describes the action throughout the course of the opera. Stravinsky set his work in Latin but specified that the narration is to be spoken in the language of the audience. The performance features incredibly imaginative projected animations created by Manual Cinema, an Emmy Award-winning performance collective, design studio and film/video production company.
Music Director James Conlon conducts a stellar cast led by tenor Russell Thomas, LA Opera's Artist in Residence, as Oedipus, the doomed king. Mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges returns as Jocasta, his queen (and mother). Legendary actor Stephen Fry makes his LA Opera debut (via audio recording) as the Narrator in this equally-legendary tale.
Click here to read the digital program.
We couldn’t be more excited to safely resume indoor live performances with state-of-the-art air systems and new protocols in accordance with the guidelines put in place by the LA County Department of Health—all with the safety of our audience, artists and staff as our top priority. We are able, at long last, to invite audiences to attend a concert performance of Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex (for free!) on June 6 at 2pm.
For Safety Protocols related to this performance please click here.
If you aren't able to attend the live performance, don't fret. We will release a special online version of Oedipus Rex on June 17 for home viewing.
Swipe for More

Animation still from "Oedipus Rex" (designed by Manual Cinema)
Manual CinemaSwipe for More

James Conlon conducts LA Opera's 2021 performance of "Oedipus Rex."
Lawrence K. HoSwipe for More

James Conlon conducts LA Opera's 2021 performance of "Oedipus Rex."
Lawrence K. HoSwipe for More

James Conlon in a rehearsal for "Oedipus Rex."
Lawrence K. HoSwipe for More

Animation still from "Oedipus Rex" (designed by Manual Cinema)
Manual CinemaSwipe for More

Russell Thomas sings the title role in LA Opera's 2021 performance of "Oedipus Rex."
Lawrence K. HoSwipe for More

Animation still from "Oedipus Rex" (designed by Manual Cinema)
Manual CinemaSwipe for More

John Relyea sings the roles of Creon and the Messenger in LA Opera's 2021 performance of "Oedipus Rex."
Lawrence K. HoSwipe for More

Animation still from "Oedipus Rex" (designed by Manual Cinema)
Manual CinemaSwipe for More

Morris Robinson sings the role of Tiresias in LA Opera's 2021 performance of "Oedipus Rex."
Lawrence K. HoSwipe for More

Animation still from "Oedipus Rex" (designed by Manual Cinema)
Manual CinemaSwipe for More

J'Nai Bridges sings the role of Jocasta in LA Opera's 2021 performance of "Oedipus Rex."
Lawrence K. HoSwipe for More

Robert Stahley sings the role of the Shepherd in LA Opera's 2021 performance of "Oedipus Rex."
Lawrence K. HoSwipe for More

Stephen Fry as the Narrator in LA Opera's 2021 performance of "Oedipus Rex."
Lawrence K. HoSwipe for More

James Conlon conducts LA Opera's 2021 performance of "Oedipus Rex."
Lawrence K. HoSwipe for More

James Conlon conducts LA Opera's 2021 performance of "Oedipus Rex."
Lawrence K. HoSwipe for More

Animation still from "Oedipus Rex" (designed by Manual Cinema)
Manual CinemaCast
- Oedipus
- Russell Thomas
- Jocasta
- J'Nai Bridges
- Creon / Messenger
- John Relyea
- Tiresias
- Morris Robinson
- Shepherd
- Robert Stahley
- The Narrator
- Stephen Fry
Creative Team
- Conductor
- James Conlon
- Chorus Director
- Grant Gershon
- Animations
- Manual Cinema
- Lighting
- Azra King-Abadi
- Director: Stream Presentation
- Matthew Diamond

Read the synopsis
The running time is approximately 50 minutes, with no intermission.
Oedipus Rex is sung in Latin (with English subtitles) with spoken narration in English.
Click here to read the digital program.
LA Opera's production of Oedipus Rex and the performance of the LA Opera Orchestra are made possible with generous support from Terri and Jerry M. Kohl.
Please note: In the event that capacity restrictions from LA County are revised or updated, LA Opera reserves the right to relocate or cancel tickets issued to customers based upon purchase date. If your tickets are cancelled or your seats are relocated for any reason you will be notified by Customer Service prior to the performance date.
Ticket availability update: All currently available tickets have been claimed.
-
AvailableOnline{{ performance.display_day }}{{ performance.display_month_clean }} {{ performance.display_date }}