HAYDN ARMIDA

Washington Concert Opera presents Joseph Haydn’s *Armida*, an opera seria set during the Crusades and inspired by Torquato Tasso’s *Jerusalem Delivered*. The story follows Rinaldo, a Crusading knight who is drawn into the power and enchantment of the sorceress Armida, who falls in love with him. Against this wartime backdrop, the opera explores the psychological struggle between romantic love, temptation, and duty.

Written in 1783, *Armida* was regarded by Haydn as his finest opera. It premiered at the Eszterháza Court Theatre in 1784 and reportedly received 54 performances there over six years.

When: Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Venue: Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20052

Tickets: Single tickets start at $51; subscriptions start at $89.

Cast: Lauren Snouffer as Armida; Fran Daniel Laucerica as Rinaldo; Shannon Crowley as Zelmira; Andrew Wilkowske as King Idreno; Jonathan Pierce Rhodes as Ubaldo; and Jason Gonzalez as Clotarco.

Run time: Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission.

Pre-performance talk: A talk begins at 5:00 PM inside Lisner Auditorium. It is included with the performance ticket and will be presented by WCO co-founder Peter Russell.

Cast party: Attendees can meet the opera’s stars and enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres after the performance.

Production notes: Lauren Snouffer makes her Washington Concert Opera debut in the title role. Fran Daniel Laucerica returns to WCO after performing Pylade in Gluck’s *Iphigénie en Tauride*. Shannon Crowley, winner of the 2026 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Grand Finals, makes her WCO debut as Zelmira. Jonathan Pierce Rhodes, formerly a Cafritz Young Artist with Washington National Opera, Andrew Wilkowske, and Jason Gonzalez also make their WCO debuts.