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December 21 on Sale
2026 Season
Signature Holiday Concert
at the Historic Wildey Theatre
Monday, December 21, 2026 at 7:30pm
Wildey Theatre
Oh there's no place like Opera Edwardsville for the holidays!
Opera Edwardsville returns to the historic Wildey Theatre for its signature holiday celebration, bringing together world-class artists, festive favorites, and the joyful community spirit that has made this concert an Edwardsville tradition.
Purchase tickets
Tickets may be purchased online, by phone, or in person through the Wildey Theatre box office. You'll find box office contract information below.
Your Tickets
Once your reservation is complete, the Wildey box office will email your confirmation and electronic tickets from ovationtix.com. You may print your tickets at home, display them on your phone, or collect them at will call before the performance.
Donor & Sponsor Tickets
As a special thank-you for their generous support, Opera Edwardsville donors and sponsors at the $300 level or above enjoy complimentary tickets and had an advance reservation opportunity. Eligible donors and sponsors may still contact the Wildey Theatre box office directly to claim their complimentary tickets, based on information provided by Opera Edwardsville. Complimentary tickets are subject to availability now that general ticket sales are open. Early reservations are encouraged to secure preferred seating.
Ticket Returns
Can't use your tickets? While all ticket sales are final and we are not able to offer refunds, we hope you will consider notifying the box office to release your tickets in the event that you are unable to join us. This event often sells out, and we want to ensure those who are hoping to join are able to secure tickets. Thank you in advance for letting the Wildey Theatre box office know if you would like to release your tickets.
Wildey Theatre Box Office Information
Wildey Theatre
252 N Main St
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Hours:
Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 12:00–5:00 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed, except for events
Phone: (618) 307-1750
Email: alcanal@cityofedwardsville.com
Email: aprior@cityofedwardsville.com
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 Boyal 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
Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to the success of Opera Edwardsville's 2026 season.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Opera Edwardsville will provide a tax acknowledgement letter for every donation received. We appreciate your patience as we work to process and formally recognize the generous gifts made in support of the season.
Our sponsors and donors provide the essential foundation that allows Opera Edwardsville to offer free programming for the entire community, showcase the extraordinary talent within our region, and welcome world-class artists to Edwardsville. We are deeply grateful for your support.
LEAD DONOR
Gifts of $2,500+Stifel
Lewis Rice, LLC
Anonymous
Maureen Meyers
Marian Smithson
ARTIST DONOR
Gifts of $1,000+Bart and Meg Solon
Bob Wetzel and Brenda Mainer
Amy Redmer and Eric Diluzio
Craig Becker and Richard Schlesinger
Margaret and Rod Vaught
PATRON DONOR
Gifts of $500+Carrollton Bank
Michael Lambert and Tim Hutchison
David and CJ Runyon
Randall and Linda Irwin
Mark Somma and Louise
Marcus and Tamar Albrecht
Rachel Tompkins and Cartney James
Mary Ruth Kettenbach
John and Joyce Tarpoff
Fredna Scroggins
Elizabeth Edwards
David and Kay Werner
Kathryn and Robert Biarkis
Robert Schuh and Lara Oakley
SJ and Emily Morrison
DONOR
Gifts of $300+SIYAO Southern Illinois Young Artist Organization, In memory of Suzanne Nevins
Lyndia Pezza
Vera McCoy-Sulentic
Jack and Yonsook Enloe
Carol Gerdt and John Harvey
Ann and Susan Hume
David and Patricia Cassens
Danny and Cindy Highlander
Robert Semon
Cynthia Hamilton and Brent Iverson
Mary Pearson and Bob Schuh
David Woelfel and Dana Latempt
Brad Lewis and Sue Betts
Michael and Patricia Costigan
Belinda and Rick Carstens-Wickham
Cara Lytle
Jim and Jane Weingartner
John and Judy Baisch
Kate and John Motley
S. LaVernn Wilson
Mark and Mary Jo Kratschmer
Peg Flach and John Zuelke
Roger Buchta
Stephen Mudge
Ann Gorman
Rich and Mary Berry
Barb and Tom Kinsella
Tom and Joan O'Saben
FRIEND
Gifts up to $299Bank of Madison County
Counseling Clinic, LTD.
Linda Perry
Bart and Meg Solon, In memory of Suzanne Nevins
Rande and Karen Johnson
Ann and Steve Stolte
Richard and Constance Neumann
Donna and Tom Bardon
Paul and Carol Nativi
Elaine Smith
Rusty Lucy, In memory of Suzanne Nevins
Vicki Lantz, In memory of Suzanne Nevins
Susan Bostwick, In memory of Suzanne Nevins and James Hopkins
Kathryn and Robert Biarkis, In memory of Suzanne Nevins
Nicholas Roman and Matthew Talaga, In memory of James Hopkins
Kate and John Motley, In memory of James Hopkins
Rande and Karen Johnson
Mark Halton and Toni Kutchan
Rachel and Jonathan Pieper
Tony Evans
Bob and Jo Gibson
Charlene and Pete Genta
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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