A Thousand Splendid Suns

February 25 & 26, March 3, 5, 8 & 11, 2023

Opera Gavin's Pick In-Person COVID Safe

Partners

Seattle Opera

Venue

McCaw Hall
321 Mercer Street, Lower Queen Anne, Seattle

  • Screenshot 2022 12 28 at 2 17 54 PM

Beauty. Sacrifice. Resilience. Seattle Opera World Premiere. Set against Afghanistan’s volatile history, this new opera tells the breathtaking story of Mariam and Laila, two Afghan women. Brought together under the brutal Taliban rule, the bond between Laila and Mariam leads to unthinkable sacrifices and ultimately, one family’s survival. Based on Khaled Hosseini's best-selling novel, this story has captured the hearts of millions including American composer Sheila Silver and librettist Stephen Kitsakos who adapted the novel for the opera stage. Directing the production is Afghan filmmaker Roya Sadat, whose trailblazing work as one of Afghanistan’s first female film directors has garnered more than 20 international film awards, including the 2021 Kim Dae-jung Nobel Peace Film Award and the 2018 International Women of Courage Award presented by the United States Department of State.

“The locations in this novel are near to my heart; I grew up in Herat and live in the Kabul neighborhood where the protagonists, Mariam and Laila, lives intersect. Afghanistan’s women have shown strength and resilience in the face of war and an ever-changing political environment. There has never been a more important time for this story to be taking the stage and shared with American audiences." (Roya Sadat)

Based on the novel by Khaled Hosseini

Music by Sheila Silver; Libretto by Stephen Kitsakos

Directed by Roya Sadat

Age Recommendation

Ages 13+ Content Considerations:

Movie-style rating is R for:

Domestic abuse
Child abuse
Discrimination against women
Discrimination against illegitimate children
Murder
Intense depictions of violence
Capital punishment
Onstage suicide
Firearms
This contemporary American opera about life in Afghanistan under the Taliban is not appropriate for children. Onstage, intense, and possibly disturbing representations of violence will include the surprise reveal of a woman who has hanged herself, a man beating a woman, a woman killing a man, and a woman being executed.

This opera may be appropriate for some older teens, but parents should be prepared to have conversations about the intense violence of this story. This opera may be triggering for some audience members.

Ticket Info

Performance Time: Approximately 3 hours including one intermission

Box Office Info

Seattle Opera Box Office

As of August 2021, Seattle Opera is requiring masks and proof of vaccinations or negative COVID-19 testing to ensure a safe and successful return of the Seattle-area arts. All employees, including staff & artists, will be required to follow the same protocols. Policies will evolve over time in response to the pandemic.

There are two separate locations for the Seattle Opera Ticket Office:

Administrative Ticket Office

Hours:

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

With additional hours on mainstage performance days as follows:
Saturday performance days: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Closed performance Sundays

Box office phone number: 206-389-7676
Box office email: tickets@seattleopera.org

Directions:

363 Mercer St

King County Transit routes 3, 4, and 82 stop at 5th Ave. N & Republican St.

Plan your trip with the King County Online Metro Trip Planner

Marion Oliver McCaw Hall Box Office

Hours:

This Ticket Office is open ONLY on performance days, two hours prior to showtime (5:30pm for evening performances beginning at 7:30pm, and 12:00pm for Sunday matinees beginning at 2:00pm).

Directions:

321 Mercer Street
The Ticket Office at McCaw Hall is located inside the building, directly through the main entrance off Mercer Street.

TeenTix are subject to availability and often limited. We strongly recommend calling the box office in advance to inquire if there are TeenTix available for a given performance.

2 for $10 Sundays: A TeenTix member may purchase a $5 ticket for themselves and for another person of any age ($10 total) for Sunday shows at this venue. If there are multiple performances on a Sunday, it is at the venue's discretion to decide which performance is eligible for this deal. Always call ahead to plan for companion tickets. TeenTix members who wish to attend a Sunday performance may call to purchase tickets on the prior Saturday.

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