Conductor Steven White works with musicians during rehearsals for Opera Omaha’s production of Susannah. Image courtesy of Opera Omaha.
By Gabriel Escalera
Opera Omaha Presents Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah
January 23rd, 2026
Steven White returns to Omaha as principal guest conductor of Opera Omaha, continuing a collaboration that spans nearly fifteen years. Over that time, his work with the company has played a meaningful role in shaping the city’s opera scene. This season, White brings an American classic to the Orpheum Theater, an opera whose themes remain strikingly relevant nearly seventy years after its premiere.
Opera Omaha presents Susannah by Carlisle Floyd during a year that marks what would have been the composer’s one hundredth birthday. Floyd is widely regarded as one of the most important American opera composers of the twentieth century, and Susannah is the work that established his reputation. Written when Floyd was still in his late twenties, the opera has become one of the most frequently performed American operas.
The story draws from an ancient biblical tale found in the Apocrypha, centering on a young woman whose innocence is violated by figures in positions of authority. Floyd relocated the story to Appalachia, shaping the opera with an unmistakably American voice. The music reflects the sound of folk songs and hymns, not through direct quotation, but through original writing that captures their spirit and emotional clarity.
The result is a score that feels authentic and deeply expressive. The opera confronts difficult subject matter and moments of violence, yet it is also lyrical and moving. The transformation of Susannah over the course of the opera forms one of its most powerful emotional arcs, underscoring the enduring relevance of the story and its music.
Soprano Caitlin Lynch performs the title role, leading a production that balances intimacy with dramatic weight. The opera runs approximately one hour and forty minutes, including an intermission, making it a focused and immersive evening. Audiences can also expect striking visual elements, including projections and thoughtful design that enhance the storytelling.
Opera Omaha will present Susannah at the Orpheum Theater on January 30 and February 1. More information is available at operaomaha.org.
