Get ready to witness a knockout cultural event like no other! This November, OperaDelaware and Delaware boxing legend Dave Tiberi are stepping into the ring together to present OperaDEathmatch, a high-energy, one-of-a-kind mashup of opera and boxing that promises to bring the house down. Mark your calendars for Friday, November 21 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, November 23 at 2:00 PM, when OperaDelaware Studios (4 S. Poplar Street, Wilmington) transforms into an opera-meets-boxing arena, complete with a full-sized ring, dramatic lighting, and ringside seating. 

Imagine the drama of Puccini and Verdi colliding with the intensity of a championship fight, that’s OperaDEathmatch. In this thrilling event, vocal gladiators face off in a 90-minute competition where arias replace uppercuts, and high notes hit harder than hooks. 

“This will be equal parts Puccini, pay-per-view, and parody,” says OperaDelaware Company Artist Dane Suarez. The program curated by OperaDelaware’s talented Company Artists Toni Marie Palmertree, Emily Margevich, Dane Suarez, and Gerard Moon showcases opera’s most legendary rivalries and show-stopping duets, all presented with humor, passion, and just the right amount of friendly competition. 

Partnering with former IBO middleweight champion and community advocate Dave Tiberi, this event brings together two worlds that share more in common than you might think. 

“Opera and boxing may seem like an unlikely pairing, but they’re both about passion, determination, stamina, and storytelling,” says Tiberi. “We’re inviting Delaware’s business, civic, and athletic leaders to join us for a night that celebrates competition, courage, and community.” OperaDelaware’s Vice President of Engagement Kerriann Otaño agrees: “OperaDEathmatch is bold, fun, and accessible — it’s opera like you’ve never experienced before.” 

This event was conceptualized and created by OperaDelaware’s Company Artists, a unique ensemble of four full-time professional singers who perform on major stages worldwide while also serving in key roles within the organization — from marketing and education to community engagement and development. 

Now in its second year, this innovative Company Artist Model is redefining how opera connects with its community, expanding access, creativity, and collaboration both on and off the stage. 

Guests can arrive early for a pre-show tailgate party featuring barbecue, themed food and drinks, and a cash bar. Inside the ring, audience members will have a say in the action by cheering, voting, and fueling the energy of each round. VIP “ringside” seats are available for those who want to be up close to the action (and the high notes). 

Tickets for this one-of-a-kind match-up are extremely limited and are expected to sell out fast. Grab your seats now at operade.org/tickets or by calling (302) 442-7807. 

Get ready, Wilmington, OperaDEathmatch brings the art of competition to a whole new level. Whether you’re an opera lover, a boxing fan, or just in it for the spectacle, this event promises a knockout night of music, comedy, and community you won’t soon forget. 

This is one match you won’t want to miss.