Cincinnati Opera and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music presented a public preview of O’Keeffe: Kiss the Sky, a new opera-ballet, on March 31, 2026 at Cincinnati Ballet, 1801 Gilbert Avenue. The work is a product of the Opera Fusion: New Works partnership between the two institutions and was commissioned by Washington National Opera, which will present the world premiere at a date to be announced.

The opera-ballet follows Georgia O’Keeffe’s path to artistic recognition, tracing her complicated marriage to photographer and dealer Alfred Stieglitz and her relationship with arts patron Mabel Dodge Luhan, whose influence led O’Keeffe to the Southwest landscapes that came to define her work. The music was composed by GRAMMY Award-winner Christopher Tin with a libretto by Kelley Rourke. Direction is by Francesca Zambello and choreography by Jessica Lang.

The March 31 preview cast featured Christine Goerke as Mabel Dodge Luhan, Natalie Corrigan as Georgia O’Keeffe, and Tristan Tournaud as Alfred Stieglitz, alongside dancers from American Ballet Theatre and CCM student singers and dancers. Tickets for the preview were priced at $15 for adults, with free admission for full-time students with valid identification. The Cincinnati Opera can be reached at 513-241-2742 or online at cincinnatiopera.org.

Source: Cincinnati Opera