Tacoma Opera Will Perform Die Walküre This Weekend
The city hosts the only United States performance of the Wagner opera in 2026 at the Pantages Theater.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Opera
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The Tacoma Opera will stage Richard Wagner's Die Walküre this Friday and Sunday, October 11 and 12, 2026. The production marks the only time the opera will be performed in the United States this year.
Why it matters
The performance brings a significant Wagnerian work back to Washington state for the first time in 14 years. It highlights the ability of local institutions to adapt large-scale operatic productions for smaller venues and specialized ensembles.
Conductor Bernard Kwiram adapted the original 1870 score for a 40-musician orchestra, downsized from traditional requirements to fit the Pantages Theater. Tickets for the four-hour production range from $34 to $295.
The players
Tacoma Opera
A performing arts organization in Tacoma that produces three major productions annually.
Bernard Kwiram
The conductor who adapted the Die Walküre score for a 40-person orchestra.
Richard Wagner
The influential German composer who completed Die Walküre in 1870.
Pantages Theater
The historic Tacoma venue hosting the upcoming opera production.
The details
To facilitate this rare performance, Bernard Kwiram spent up to 14 hours a day rewriting the score. Singers are performing the complex work without microphones, relying on specialized training to project their voices over the modified ensemble.
Timeline
Richard Wagner completed the opera in 1870.
The last Washington state performance occurred 14 years ago.
Rehearsals for the production began in September 2026.
The two performances take place on October 11 and 12, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This production fits into the wider trend of regional companies adapting monumental works like the Ring Cycle for intimate stages. Tacoma Opera is positioning itself to potentially perform the full cycle over the next two years.
Theatergoers can access the performance by purchasing tickets ranging from $34 to $295. As this is the only United States performance this year, audiences are traveling to the Pantages Theater for a limited two-day engagement.
The takeaway
This production demonstrates how regional opera houses can successfully scale legendary, complex works for local audiences. It serves as a reminder of the logistical dedication required to preserve major classical compositions in modern performance spaces.
What happens next
The Tacoma Opera is evaluating potential productions for the third part of the Ring Cycle next year and the fourth part in two years. The company is also scheduled to debut Le Nozze di Figaro on April 16, 2027.
Further reading
For more information on local arts, visit the Opera section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tacoma News Tribune.
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