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.
Thursday, January 29
Straight Talent, No Chaser: a journey through operatic emotion at full intensity.
From whispered longing and moral darkness to glittering virtuosity and unstoppable fury.
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
The Sapphire Room is located inside The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W Chinden Blvd, Garden City
Featuring:
Making her Opera Idaho debut is Madison Hatten; an American full lyric soprano with sparkling coloratura, praised for an “exquisite voice” and “exciting physicality.” Recent credits include the title role in Iolanta, Baroness Gondremarck in La vie parisienne (Pocket Opera), and Judith (cover) in Bluebeard’s Castle (Opera San José). She has been heard as Mimì, Donna Elvira, Countess Almaviva, and Fiordiligi. Concert appearances include Exsultate, jubilate, Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, and Ravel’s Shéhérazade. Known for an athletic, agile stage presence and warm lower register, she brings focused musical storytelling to stages across the United States.
Returning to Opera Idaho are tenor Thomas Glenn and baritone Christopher Holmes. Thomas is a Grammy Award–winning tenor whose international career has taken him across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Boise audiences may remember him from Manon (2019), The Elixir of Love (2017), and The Magic Flute (2015). Christopher was recently seen as Judge Turpin in our production of Sweeney Todd. He’s an accomplished full-lyric baritone with over 40 roles to his credit, having sung with opera companies across the United States, and is gaining recognition in key Verdi roles while also performing concert repertoire from Beethoven to Mozart.
Representing our local talent is Boise-based mezzo-soprano Naomi Spinelli, a frequent collaborator with Opera Idaho and a familiar presence in the chorus. Beyond our stage, Naomi has performed featured roles with local companies including Gemma Arts and Opera Elect, and has participated in Italy’s Narni International Vocal Arts Program. She maintains a voice and piano studio here in Boise.
Anchoring the evening at the piano is Betsi Hodges, whose artistry supports and elevates this exceptional cast. She performs across the company’s main-stage productions and community programs, from Operatinis and Opera in the Park to children’s choruses, recitals, and masterclasses. Trained at the Eastman School of Music, Michigan State University, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, she is an active collaborative pianist heard throughout the Treasure Valley.
Buffet menu: Local/Regional
Mixed greens with house dressing, served with warm rolls and butter.
Herb and wild mushroom–stuffed pork roulade finished with a peppercorn demi-glace, alongside citrus-kissed asparagus and roasted garlic and sage mashed potatoes.
Oregon raspberry and white chocolate torte to finish.
Program:
- Smanie implacabili
from Cosi fan tutte by Mozart - Cruda, funesta smania
from Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti - Je crois entendre encore
from The Pearl Fishers by Bizet - D’Oreste, d’Ajace
from Idomeneo by Mozart - Ombra Mai fu
from Serses by Handel - Jago’s Credo
from Otello by Verdi - Les souplets bacchiques
from The Tales of Hoffmann by Offenbach - Come bello
from Lucrezia Borgia by Donizetti - Sta nel ircana
from Alcina by Handel - Nemico della patria
from Andrea Chénier by Gordano - Ich baue ganz
from Abduction from the Seraglio by Mozart - The Jewel Song
from Faust by Gounod
Upcoming Operatinis
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.
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.