Civil War-era song cycle ‘Rappahannock County’ launches UK Opera Theatre’s new season
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 2, 2026) — The University of Kentucky Opera Theatre will continue its “Telling America’s Stories” series with a powerful Civil War-era song cycle, “Rappahannock County,” opening the 2026-27 season Oct. 16-19 at the Lexington Opera House.
The production is the second in 2026 presented as part of the “Telling America’s Stories” series.
With a libretto by Pulitzer Prize winner Mark Campbell and music by Ricky Ian Gordon, “Rappahannock County” is a theatrical song cycle that premiered in 2011 and explores the impact of the Civil War on Virginians. Inspired by diaries, letters and firsthand accounts, the work traces the years 1861-65 through five chapters that illuminate the cost of the conflict. The production is a multimedia event, enhanced by projections and features five singers performing more than 30 roles.
“‘Rappahannock County’ is the third installment in our successful ‘Telling America’s Stories’ series,” said Everett McCorvey, D.M.A., UK Opera Theatre director. “As we celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation, we are delighted to announce that we plan to continue this initiative beyond our initial commitment of three operas. This opera gives us an insight into American history and the mindset of the people of Virginia during the Civil War. We are also delighted to welcome stage director Richard Gammon back to Lexington as we embark on this powerful work.”
Sung in English with English supertitles, the production runs approximately 85 minutes.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com, or by calling the Central Bank Center ticket office at 859-233-3535, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. All phone orders include a per ticket service fee.
Gordon is the composer of “Orpheus & Euridice” and an operatic setting of “The Grapes of Wrath.” Campbell, a Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award winner, has created 45 opera librettos, lyrics for seven musicals, and the text for 12 song cycles and seven oratorios. His works include “Silent Night,” “A Nation of Others” and “Sanctuary Road,” all of which have been presented by UK Opera Theatre.
Published by Theodore Presser Company, “Rappahannock County” is presented as part of UK Opera Theatre’s “Telling America’s Stories” initiative, which highlights overlooked or underrepresented narratives in American history through operatic repertoire. The series began with the spring 2025 production of “Sanctuary Road” and continued in spring 2026 with “A Nation of Others.”
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