Opera at The Barns: Your Go-To Guide

May 26, 2025

Opera productions, recitals, and salons, oh my! It’s gearing up to be another incredible season for Wolf Trap Opera at The Barns, and you won’t want to miss a moment. Prepare to be enthralled by multiple matinee and evening performances of Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.

Get started on your opera journey this summer by learning all the tips and tricks…and avoid looking foolish like Count Almaviva at the end of Figaro, asking his wife’s forgiveness for his faux pas during the “Contessa perdono.”

Find Your Way to The Barns

Made up of two 18^th-century barns—one of which is celebrating its 300^th anniversary this year—Wolf Trap’s indoor venue is located just under a mile from the Filene Center. It offers a comfortable, intimate, and acoustically brilliant setting in which to experience opera. During the summer months, the space becomes a home base for many performances of operas and concerts.

The Barns is located at 1635 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182 and offers ample free parking. Accessible parking is close to the building.

Before heading to The Barns, check out the different route options. If traveling on Dulles Toll Road (Route 267), note this path requires drivers to pay a toll. As always, plan extra time for traffic and construction-related delays. 

Check Your Opera Ticket

In the days leading up to your show, double check the location listed on your ticket. Many, but not all, opera performances take place in The Barns. You can find the date, time, and location of your show by logging into MyTickets.

Performances outside of The Barns include:

• Bizet’s Carmen performed at the Filene Center
• Orff’s Carmina Burana with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Filene Center
• UNTRAPPED performances are performed around the DMV
  • Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream*
  • Mahler: Symphony No. 2*
  • Studio Artists in Concert–a free show at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown, no ticket necessary

*Tickets for these performances are purchased through National Orchestral Institute + Festival.

For shows at The Barns, pre-save digital tickets to your phone and have them pulled up before arrival to make check-in a breeze. To pick up tickets, Will Call is located to the right of The Barns’ front doors. Be sure to have your photo ID and confirmation number ready.

Dine Before the Show

Make your opera at The Barns outing one to remember by enjoying a meal at the on-site restaurant before the show! Pair Dialogues of the Carmelites with a French-inspired treat like Crème Brûlée and glass of François Montand Brut sparkling wine. Tap into the fun and frivolity of Figaro by sampling bright flavors from Fish Tacos with mango salsa and a hand-made Margarita. Or go on the lighter side with the Chef’s Cheese Board, a selection of sweet and salty bites as diverse as the repertoire you’ll hear during Aria Jukebox.

The Barns opens 90 minutes before show time, and you can bring a beverage back to your seat to sip on during the entertainment.

Immerse Yourself in the Story

Pick up an Opera Insider Guide from an usher to learn all about Wolf Trap Opera’s shows this summer. Read plot summaries, artist bios, notes from the productions’ directors, and much more. Plus, you might discover another show you’d like to attend!

Interested in learning even more? One hour before each opera at The Barns performance, Wolf Trap Opera takes you inside the production with lively 30-minute Preshow Talks. Uncover the details behind the opera plots, listen to a sampling of music, and be introduced to the artists, designs, and much more.

Tips for Opera Newbies

Is it your first time attending opera at The Barns? You’re in for a treat! Here are some quick tips to make you opera ready:

• Is there a dress code?
  There is no set dress code at Wolf Trap. Dress down or dress up, whatever makes you feel best! If attending The Marriage of Figaro on June 28, festive formal attire is suggested for the post-show “wedding reception” and toast to the happy couple (and opera company)!

• Do I need to know another language to understand the plot?
  Not at all! For main productions, supertitles (captions) are displayed above the stage so you can easily follow along in English and not miss a moment onstage.

• Silence your devices.
  There’s nothing more awkward than a cell phone ringing in the middle of a beautiful aria.

• Lower your phone brightness.
  If you need to take a quick peek at the clock, that’s fine. But please don’t disturb others around you.

• Can I take photos?
  The use of recording equipment and cameras (with or without flash) during performances is prohibited. However, feel free to take photos before or after the show. Don’t forget to share your outing by tagging @wolf_trap or @wolftrapopera on social media!

• Can I applaud?
  Of course! Though there are no set rules, it’s typically best to wait until the end of an aria or pause in the action. You can also shout out the congratulatory term “bravo” (intended for one male singer), “brava” (for one female singer), or “bravi” (for a group of two or more singers) during an applause.

• How long are the shows?
  Every show is different, but be prepared for multiple acts. For main productions, the running time is listed in the Opera Insider Guide. You’ll know the show is officially over after bows!

“Bravo! Brava! Bravi!”

That’s what you’ll be saying to Wolf Trap’s exceptional opera artists at the end of the performance! To browse the full calendar of opera, classical, and chamber music offerings, visit wolftrap.org/calendar.