Editor's note: Fittingly for a couple whose lives have long been shaped by opera and travel, Ryan and Tonya answered these questions while Ryan was in New York rehearsing for the Metropolitan Opera’s world premiere of Lincoln in the Bardo. He sings the role of Hans Vollman in the new opera, which opens at Lincoln Center on October 19. Opera has taken Ryan and Tonya McKinny around the world. But wherever the work has led, they made one decision early in their marriage: They wo

Experience two intimate operas by composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer that illuminate extraordinary true stories shaped by the Holocaust. Presented together, Another Sunrise and Before It All Goes Dark explore the power of art to preserve memory. Tickets here. The Creative Team Composer: Jake Heggie One of today’s leading composers of opera and art song, Jake Heggie is best known for Dead Man Walking, Moby-Dick, and Three Decembers. His opera Intelligence received

Foundation investments strengthen High Point programming, education and outreach, new works, community-based performances, and Piedmont Opera’s ongoing operations WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — As Piedmont Opera celebrates its 50th anniversary season, the company has secured $ $168,527 in grants so far, strengthening its investment in communities across the Piedmont Triad while expanding education, outreach and access to opera. Leading the support is $75,000 from The David R. Hayworth

Left to Right- Brandon Palmer, Jake Heggie and Josey Mechavich We all meet people who completely alter the trajectory of our lives. In the world of classical music, those people are often the creators who give us new ways to hear, think, and feel. For me, composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer are two very special humans who did exactly that. My journey into their creative universe began unexpectedly in 2012. I was called in as a last-minute substitution to conduct t

Piedmont Opera and Novant Health Present Renée Fleming's Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts to Heal & Connect Symposium and concert launch Piedmont Opera's 50th Anniversary Season WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Piedmont Opera, in partnership with Novant Health, will launch its 50th Anniversary Season with two extraordinary events featuring internationally acclaimed soprano and five-time Grammy Award winner Renée Fleming. Together, the events explore the transformative power of music

Piedmont Opera's General Director Joseph Mechavich joined the WXII 12 News morning team to share more about the events in store. Watch here.

Piedmont Opera Announces Distinguished Casts and Creative Teams for 50th Anniversary Opera Productions WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Piedmont Opera today announced the cast and creative teams for its landmark 50th Anniversary Season, featuring internationally acclaimed artists, rising stars, and outstanding North Carolina talent. The milestone season opens with five-time Grammy Award-winning soprano Renée Fleming, who will lead Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts to Heal & Connect, a

Piedmont Opera's 50th Anniversary Season Brings Renée Fleming, Beloved Classics, and New American Masterworks to the Triad WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Piedmont Opera will celebrate its 50th Anniversary Season with an ambitious lineup of performances and special events that honor five decades of artistic excellence while charting a bold course for the future. The milestone season features internationally acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming, landmark North Carolina premieres of Another S

Fox 8 sits down with General Director Josey Mechavich to discuss Karen Slack's African Queens. Watch here.

Piedmont Opera presents African Queens, a powerful musical celebration curated and performed by Grammy Award-winning soprano Karen Slack. The program honors seven extraordinary African queens whose stories have often been overlooked in Western history, combining newly commissioned music, spoken word, and visual art to illuminate their legacy, leadership, and lasting impact. It's an inspiring evening that blends history, culture, and contemporary artistry in a unique tribute t

Piedmont Opera is kicking off Winston-Salem’s annual Juneteenth celebration by presenting the acclaimed recital "African Queens" featuring Grammy Award-winning soprano Karen Slack. The free community performance on Thursday, June 18 will blend newly commissioned music, and storytelling to celebrate legendary African queens. Watch here.

As Piedmont Opera celebrates its 50th anniversary season and reflects on defining milestones in the company’s history, the organization proudly honors the induction of Pulitzer Prize–winning composer and arts leader Dr. Robert Ward into Winston-Salem Arts, Cultural, and Entertainment Memorial Walk of Fame for 2026. Few artists have had a greater impact on the cultural identity of Winston-Salem and the growth of opera in North Carolina than Dr. Ward, whose legacy remains deepl

Read more about Piedmont Opera's upcoming event: Karen Slack's African Queens. https://www.broadwayworld.com/raleigh/regional/Karen-Slack-s-African-Queens--4367698

Piedmont Opera concludes its season... Read more here.

Piedmont Opera, in partnership with the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center, will present Opera Lite: ABC’s of Opera on May 31 at 3 p.m. at the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center in Yadkinville. Tickets are $15 and are available now. More here.

Piedmont Opera expands its outreach program Opera Lite to the Cultural Arts Center in Yadkinville ... READ HERE.

"Despite the opinions recently offered by a certain film celebrity, there are plenty of people out there who not only appreciate but know the importance of opera, ballet, and countless other art forms. We attend opera to experience the ultimate form of human artistic expression: vocal artistry in its purest form, symphonic music, captivating dance and ballet, comedy and tragedy that lift the spirit and move you to tears, and all of the exquisitely crafted elements of the thea

Meet Joseph Mechavich: Piedmont Opera’s new general director leads with flair You’d probably never think of grilling and opera together, but for Joseph Mechavich, the two go hand in hand. Mechavich, who was recently named Piedmont Opera’s general director and is moving to Winston-Salem from Philadelphia, is excited to buy a grill again. “I love to roast and braise things…ribs, chicken, bratwurst, sausage,” he says. “The first thing I am buying is a Weber grill.”

On March 27 and 29, the Piedmont Opera will perform George Bizet’s classical production of “Carmen” at High Point Theatre. Wake Forest Assistant Voice Professor Caryn Greco has spent a year preparing for her role of Frasquita. Arts & Culture Editor Grace Schuringa sat down with Greco to discuss her hopes for this performance, her career and her advice for aspiring artists. This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.