Operatini
The Sapphire Room
Early Operatini: Door opens at 5:00pm, performance starts 5:45 pm
Late Operatini: Door opens at 8:00pm, performance starts 8:45 pm
Veterans Day
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Celebrating America’s 250th birthday and the long-awaited return of All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 with Boise Contemporary Theater, this is our thank you to all veterans for their courage, honor, patriotism, and sacrifice. This special program features American opera, classical patriotic and American folk songs, and a special appearance by the Opera Idaho Veterans Chorus.
Featuring: soprano Rebecca Pearce, mezzo Amanda Gardner, mezzo Carly Oppie, soprano Stacey Trenteseaux, tenor Cody Bray, and baritone Brayden Olson.
Menu: Classic American
Bacon wrapped meatloaf with Carolina BBQ, grilled broccolini, and fried Yukon potatoes tossed in herb butter. Accompanied by bourbon-apple crumble.
Straight Talent, No Chaser
Thursday, January 29, 2026
The stars of Opera Idaho and guest artists converge for a night of virtuosic singing and vocal fireworks! It’s true that opera singers are the NFL athletes of singing, and that talent will be in full force with some of the most difficult arias in the operatic repertoire and the most demanding musical theatre masterpieces.
Menu: Local/Regional
Pork roulade stuffed with wild mushrooms and herbs and topped with peppercorn demi-glace. Served with citrus asparagus spears and roasted garlic and sage mashed potatoes. Finished with Oregon raspberry and white chocolate torte.
Thaïs
Thursday, March 19, 2026
A traditional Operatini, the internationally acclaimed cast of Jules Massenet’s Thaïs will give you a sneak peek of the show and perform their favorite arias from other notable operas and shows. You’ll hear opera greats such as Verdi, Strauss, Rossini, and Puccini with martinis!
Menu: Mediterranean Flavors
Lemon-caper salmon accompanied by a kale, quinoa, and blistered tomato salad, and parmesan-rosemary potatoes. Fruit skewers with orange blossom honey to finish.
Noche de Serenatas
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Sip on a Kalimotxo or Sangria while enjoying a kaleidoscope of Spanish love songs, arias, and Flamenco music! Special guests Flamenco Idaho will join Opera Idaho singers and internationally acclaimed mezzo soprano, Kirstin Chàvez in a truly unforgettable magical evening of cultural fusion.
Menu: Spanish Flavors
Seared cod with romesco and gremolata garnish. Served with herbed zucchini ribbons and Spanish seasoned fingerling potatoes. Tres leches cake for dessert.
MORE OPERA! You spoke and we listened! Operatinis feature your favorite, operatic masterpieces with a dash of musical theater perfectly mixed like your favorite cocktail! The perfect blend of elegance and culinary fare, Opera Idaho artists serenade as you enjoy a chef-inspired buffet dinner, themed specialty cocktails, mocktails, and martinis: an intimate little taste of opera and perfectly paired cuisine. Get glamorous for an unforgettable date night, or stay a little casual for a relaxing opera dinner-theater experience.
History
Before Operatinis, a series of delightful events was initiated by then Executive Director Julie Kilgrow. The first such event, “Bellini, Puccini Martini,” was an exclusive gathering at The Arid Club during the 2006-2007 season. These events evolved through various names, including “Puccini Martini Blast” from 2008 through early 2011, and “Donizetti Down and Dirty” in spring 2011.
In 2009, when Mark Junkert took over as Executive Director (renamed General Director in 2011), these events became ticketed and open to the public. They took place a week before a mainstage production, featuring cast members performing their favorite operatic pieces while guests enjoyed heavy appetizers, providing patrons with an intimate experience.
On Wednesday, September 28, 2011, the event was officially renamed Operatini, a fitting portmanteau as a martini was always featured alongside opera performances. The inaugural Operatini, themed “The British Are Coming,” was a delightful gathering at Le Café de Paris in downtown Boise, featuring the cast from The Pirates of Penzance. Following a sold-out event at the restaurant, subsequent Operatinis moved to Beside Bardenay. The cocktail-style seating and open floor plan allowed more opera lovers to enjoy these events, but as Operatinis grew in popularity, the need for a larger venue became apparent.
On February 5, 2015, The Sapphire Room at The Riverside Hotel became the primary home for Operatinis. This move enriched the event with a full dinner buffet and signature cocktails. The events began to feature various musical styles, including musical theater, jazz, and pop songs. Initially, there was only one performance per night. However, due to soaring popularity and a growing fanbase, a second performance was added to accommodate all our enthusiastic guests. We also introduced events that were not tied to productions, showcasing talented local artists from the Treasure Valley.
With our new General Director Stacey Trenteseaux, we’re expanding Operatinis further. This season, we will not only highlight artists from the Treasure Valley, but from all of Idaho and beyond. In May 2025, guest soprano Kirstin Chavez will perform “Carmen Inside Out,” a one-woman tour de force based on Bizet’s Carmen, as part of our Operatini series.