Washington National Opera Opening Night

Jen Corey, Neil Alpert

Location: Organization of American States

WL EXCLUSIVE–Photos by Kyle Samperton

Operatic Home Run: Who says opera is only for the elite? Not the 19,000 freebie-ticket-holding fans who watched the opening night performance of The Barber of Seville being simulcast on Jumbotrons at Nationals Park (as ,000-a-pop patrons settled in to their seats at the Kennedy Center).

Double Header: Nationals owner and newly initiated opera buff Ted Lerner pronounced the famously comedic opera a success at the post-show dinner dance where guests marveled over the tour de force pantomimed ending of the first act and the wondrous “Cessa di più resistere” finale of lyric tenor Lawrence Brownlee.

Click here for the full gallery of photos