The Rape of Lucretia: Maryland Opera Studio
Benjamin Britten’s chamber opera The Rape of Lucretia arrives at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in a Maryland Opera Studio production that gives the ancient Roman tragedy a starkly contemporary resonance. With a libretto by Ronald Duncan, the opera follows a group of soldiers who set out to test the loyalty of the wives left at home, only to see their drunken bravado escalate into an act of brutal violence. At the center is Lucretia, whose integrity becomes both the object of admiration and the target of devastating cruelty, forcing audiences to confront themes of power, entitlement, misogyny, shame, and the political upheaval that surrounds personal tragedy. Written by Britten in the aftermath of World War II, the work reflects a society struggling to recover from immense suffering and moral collapse, and its framing by male and female choruses raises enduring questions about violence, forgiveness, and the possibility of redemption. The Maryland Opera Studio, dedicated to preparing the next generation of opera singers while building contemporary audiences for the art form, performs the work under conductor Bradley Baker.
When: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30 pm; Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 7:30 pm; and Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 3:00 pm.
Venue: Kay Theatre, The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, with reserved seating.
Tickets and pricing: Regular admission is $30 plus a $5 booking fee; Students and Youth tickets are $10.
Cast and creative team: Benjamin Britten as composer, Ronald Duncan as librettist, Bradley Baker as conductor, and the Maryland Opera Studio as performers.
Run time: Not listed on the event page.
Audience advisory: This performance contains adult subject matter including sexual assault and suicide.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible seating, size-inclusive seating, large print programs, assisted listening devices, adult and child-friendly sensory packs, and quiet spaces are available upon request. ASL interpretation, audio description, and captioning are available for select events or can be requested by patrons at least six weeks in advance.