Embedded Files
2026 Season
Opera Edwardsville in Concert at the City Park Bandstand
Friday, July 31, 2026 at 8pm
Edwardsville City Park
Signature Holiday Concert
at the Historic Wildey Theatre
Monday, Dec 21, 2026 at 7:30pm
Wildey Theatre
Devin Archer to headline
Devin Archer is an Edwardsville native and Edwardsville High School graduate who has gone on to build an exciting national career in musical theater. A Northwestern University graduate and Actors’ Equity artist, Devin’s credits include major Broadway national tours, leading regional theater roles, and principal musical-theater appearances across the country.
He has appeared in the U.S. national tour of Les Misérables as Enjolras, with credits also connected to Jean Valjean, and has performed in or covered major roles in Miss Saigon, Bright Star, and Mamma Mia! His regional work includes appearances with Paramount Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Marriott Theatre, Pioneer Theatre Company, Musical Theatre West, McCoy Rigby Entertainment, and others.
Most recently, Devin appeared at Chicago’s Paramount Theatre as Emile de Becque in South Pacific, further affirming his place as a compelling leading artist with both vocal distinction and theatrical presence.
Opera Edwardsville is proud to celebrate Devin as an artist whose career reflects the extraordinary talent that can and has emerged from our community.
Devin Archer as Enjolras in Les Miserables National Tour.
2026 LEAD Season SPONSORS
Sponsorships of $5,000+
Lead Season Sponsor
Lead Season Sponsor
Lead Season Sponsor
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Sponsorships of $2,500+
2026 lead season sponsorship comes from Stifel, the City of Edwardsville, and an anonymous family foundation. Presenting sponsorship comes from Lewis Rice, Marian Smithson, The Schmidt and Barton Family Fund, and the Scheffel Financial Services. Patron sponsorship comes from Carrollton Bank, with additional business sponsorship from the Bank of Madison County, Counseling Clinic, Edwardsville Bank, Front Office Wealth Strategies, Patton Dental, the SIYAO Southern Illinois Young Artist Organization, and Tessitura Music. Special thanks to Cleveland Heath, Creative Options Graphic Design, Inc., Edwardsville Public Library, First Presbyterian Church of Edwardsville, Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau, Market Basket, the SIUE School of Music, Scott Evers Photography, and Urban Collective Hotel.
2026 Season Poster
2026 Season poster features original art by painter Lon Brauer in a poster designed by Clayton Hopkins.
© Opera Edwardsville 2026
Artist Biography
Lon Brauer is an American artist known for his work in figure and plein air landscape. Born in 1955 and coming of age in the 1970s, he has roots in the abstract expressionist movement. He has a BFA from Washington University and an MFA from Fontbonne University, both in St. Louis MO. His work is a mix of the abstract and representational, bringing an impressionistic use of paint and materials to create images that challenge the viewer with new perspectives on the landscape genre. Lon’s background comes from 30 years as a studio photographer and photo illustrator specializing in images for advertising and design. He currently owns and operates Lon Brauer Studios in Granite City, Illinois.
Artist Statement
It has been a fabulous experience to create the Opera Edwardsville poster for the 2026 season. Opera Edwardsville is very much a stage production that presents with open arms to the community at large. In my image I wanted to convey the grandeur and wide sweeping pageantry that is offered to art patrons of all stripes. Art, whether performance or visual, is at its best when shared with others. Opera Edwardsville is a community gem! - Lon Brauer
2026 DONORS
PRESENTING DONOR
Gifts of $2,500+Maureen Meyers
ARTIST DONOR
Gifts of $1,000+Be the first!
PATRON DONOR
Gifts of $500+Be the first!
DONOR
Gifts of $300+Be the first!
FRIEND
Gifts up to $299Be the first!
A Note From the Founder
Welcome to Opera Edwardsville, where the history and charm of Edwardsville meet the power and beauty of Opera.
Our mission is to develop an arts organization for the benefit of Edwardsville, Illinois and the St. Louis Metro-East community with the goals of providing musical excellence, educational outreach, community development, an artistic platform, and cultural enrichment.
Music is an important part of Edwardsville’s history, with a 175-year-old Municipal Band, the iconic Mississippi River Festival, and now Opera Edwardsville. Through concerts, lectures, recitals, operas, masterclasses, and educational outreach programs, OE exposes audiences to bold artistic ideas, powerful dramas, fascinating history, global perspectives, and beautiful music through the shared experience of live opera.
Sharing the music I love with my hometown is an absolute joy. I am grateful for the support, enthusiasm and momentum behind Opera Edwardsville and consider it a great privilege to be contributing to the arts community in Edwardsville. I am so grateful for the many individuals, organizations, and businesses who support OE.
Thank you,
Chase Hopkins
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