Pelléas et Mélisande

A love triangle where power operates in shadows and soft words carry sharp edges.

April 22, 24, & 26, 2026
Concert Opera
Engineers Club (Baltimore, MD)

Poster for Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande at Opera Baltimore with colorful abstract background and silhouettes of two characters.

Overview

“And though we may not fully know the motivations of these characters, we are still in awe of the delivery system: magnificent music that makes an unambiguous beeline toward the heart.”

— San Francisco Classical Voice

Music by Claude Debussy
Libretto by Maurice Maeterlinck

Step into a world of shadows and silences with Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande—a hauntingly beautiful dream of an opera where nothing is said outright, but everything is felt. When the mysterious Mélisande marries Prince Golaud and quietly falls for his half-brother Pelléas, love blooms in secret under the surface. But in this misty medieval castle, jealousy festers, words are weapons, and desire leads quietly—inevitably—to ruin.

With a shimmering score that changed the course of French opera, Pelléas et Mélisande is less about what happens and more about how it feels—which is perfect for our signature concert opera format. It will feel like a whisper in the dark, a longing that won’t go away, a fate you can't escape. It’s a rare gem, a slow burn, and a must-see for anyone who loves their opera mysterious, moody, and utterly mesmerizing.

Available now with 2025/2026 season tickets.
Individual tickets go on sale Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

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Enjoy 10% off the cost of single tickets when you subscribe to Opera Baltimore’s 2025–2026 season! With flexible package options, it’s easier than ever to experience bold, breathtaking opera—your way. Plus, subscribers receive exclusive perks, including:

Access to the best seats before the general public
Free, no-hassle ticket exchanges
Savings of 10% over single ticket pricing
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Performance information

Dates

April 22 & 24, 2026 at 7:30pm
April 26, 2026 at 3:00pm

Runtime & Language

3 hours and 10 minutes including one intermission
In French with English supertitles

Location

The Engineers Club at the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion
11 West Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Accessibility offerings

Each of our performance venues has accessible entrances, exits, and seating areas. Upon arrival at either venue, please call if you need assistance - 443.445.0226.

ENGINEERS CLUB:

The accessible entrance to the Engineers Club is on the street Peabody Mews behind the building. Please see the map on the Your Visit page.

Learn about Generation opera

Share the Opera, Build the Future

Opera is best when it’s shared. With Generation Opera, Opera Baltimore makes it easy for longtime patrons and students to sit side by side and experience live opera together.

- Patrons add a seat. When purchasing your tickets, simply check the option to include a Generation Opera ticket at checkout. That extra seat will be reserved for a student.
- Students RSVP. Students sign up in advance and let us know which performances they’re available to attend. They commit to our program guidelines, including attending on time, dressing appropriately, and treating everyone with courtesy and respect.
- We make the match. Opera Baltimore pairs students with patrons based on RSVPs. Students confirm 48 hours before the performance, and standby students are kept ready if needed.
- Enjoy the performance together. On performance night, patrons and students meet directly at their seats and enjoy the opera side by side.
- Generation Opera is about sharing the opera in a friendly, appropriate, and respectful way. Courtesy is expected from both patrons and students.
- This program does not involve transportation, meals, or extended social obligations beyond attending the performance.
- If a student cannot attend, Opera Baltimore reassigns the seat to another student or guest — your extra ticket always gets used.
- Patrons never have to experience opera alone.
- Students get access to live opera they may not otherwise be able to attend.
- Together, we’re building a stronger and more vibrant future for opera in Baltimore.

Purchase Patron Tickets + Add a Generation Opera Seat

For Patrons Purchasing Generation Opera Tickets:

When you buy your ticket for the opera, you will need to buy a second ticket at the same time.
At checkout, you will see a question: “Would you like one of these tickets to be part of our Generation Opera initiative, pairing you with a student?”
If you click Yes, Opera Baltimore will use that second ticket to bring a student to the performance.
On the night of the show, the student will be seated next to you so you can enjoy the performance together.

Important:

You are purchasing both tickets. One is for you, and the other goes to the student.
You do not need to find or invite the student yourself. Opera Baltimore will make all the arrangements.
If a student cannot attend, your second ticket will still be used (by another student, a young professional, or a guest).

Students: RSVP for Generation Opera

Meet the Cast