Washington National Opera Presents: West Side Story
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DateMay 8 - 10, 2026
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On SaleOn Sale Now
Washington National Opera Presents: West Side Story
Event Details
Experience the Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents, and Jerome Robbins classic on a grand scale.
Love divided by a turf war… chemistry that sizzles… tragedy that looms. When four of the greatest American icons of the 20th century took on Shakespeare’s story of star-crossed lovers, it became a Broadway blockbuster. Now, the story and spectacle of West Side Story meets the scale and power of opera for a retelling you won’t forget!
Artistic Director Francesca Zambello’s “expansive” (Chicago Tribune) production follows young lovers Maria and Tony as tensions rise between the Sharks and the Jets. Your favorite musical moments are here—from the tender “Tonight” to the enduring “Somewhere”—performed by a world-class cast and the Washington National Opera Orchestra.
With dazzling original Jerome Robbins choreography set on the streets of New York and “thrilling injections of dynamism and adrenaline” (Chicago Sun-Times), this West Side Story gets the starry treatment that only Washington National Opera can offer. West Side Story is a co-production of Houston Grand Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, and Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The performances, a centerpiece of WNO’s landmark 70th Anniversary season, will feature accompaniment by the Washington National Opera Orchestra conducted by internationally renowned Marin Alsop, Music Director Laureate of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (May 8-9), and Grammy Award®-nominated James Lowe (May 10), with the original choreography of Jerome Robbins.
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Additional Event Details
- The performances on May 8 and May 9 are conducted by Marin Alsop
- The performance on May 10 is conducted by James Lowe
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Libretto by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Arthur Laurents
Original Jerome Robbins choreography
In English with Projected English Titles
Composed 1957
West Side Story is a co-production of Houston Grand Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, and Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Bag Policy
Travel light- oversized bags are best left at home.
Approved Bags:
- 6”x8”x2: or smaller, clear bags up to 12”x12”x6”
- Clear, one (1) gallon plastic resealable storage bag
Etix
Etix is the official ticketing provider of The Lyric Baltimore.
You can purchase tickets to upcoming events:
- In Person at The Lyric Box Office, Tuesday - Friday 10 AM - 4 PM
- Online at www.lyricbaltimore.com
- Online at www.etix.com
We hope to see you at a show soon!
About Marin Alsop
Marin Alsop is one of the foremost conductors of our time and a powerful and inspiring voice. She is the first woman to serve as the head of major orchestras in the United States, South America, Austria, and Great Britain. A “formidable musician and a powerful communicator,” and a “conductor with a vision” (New York Times), Alsop is internationally recognized for her innovative approach to programming and audience development, for her deep commitment to education, and for championing the importance of music in the world. She is also the first and only conductor to receive a MacArthur Fellowship.
In 2021, Alsop assumed the title of Music Director Laureate and OrchKids Founder of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. During her 14-year tenure as Music Director, she led the orchestra on its first European tour in 13 years, released multiple award-winning recordings, and conducted more than two dozen world premieres. She also founded OrchKids, the orchestra’s groundbreaking music education program for Baltimore’s most under-resourced youth. In 2019, after seven years as Music Director, Alsop became Conductor of Honour of Brazil’s São Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSESP). She was Music Director of California’s Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music for 25 years, leading 174 premieres. In 2025, she was named Honorary Conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, where she served as Chief Conductor for six years.
Learn More: www.MarinAlsop.com
About James Lowe
Grammy nominated conductor, arranger, orchestrator and composer James Lowe continues to garner praise for "beautifully sculpted" (Opera News) performances. He appears regularly with major opera houses and theaters in the US and abroad, as well as on Broadway. This season he returns to Lyric Opera of Chicago to lead A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness, a unique collaboration between Mr. Lowe and Billy Corgan, reimagining, arranging and orchestrating the Smashing Pumpkins' landmark 1995 album for full orchestra, chorus and soloists. He will make debuts with the Phoenix Symphony, the Shakespeare Theater Company in Washington, D.C., (Guys and Dolls), and Chicago Opera Theater (Kurt Weill's Der Silbersee). He will return to Washington National Opera to conduct West Side Story, and the Glimmerglass Festival with Oklahoma!
Learn More: www.JamesLoweMusic.com
