Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck’s timeless story Of Mice and Men—in the hands of the Father of American Opera, Carlisle Floyd—becomes a deeply moving opera of great beauty and power. 

George and Lennie are two migrant ranch workers who dream of owning a small piece of land and a shack they can call their own. But George cannot always shield Lennie—a childlike giant with a love for soft things—from the dangers around them. As tensions rise on the ranch, the cruelty of the boss, the loneliness of the workers, and the restless unhappiness of the boss’s young wife set in motion a chain of events that will change their lives forever.

Presented as part of the Carlisle Floyd Centennial, this masterful adaptation brings Steinbeck’s unforgettable characters vividly to life through Floyd’s richly expressive score.

Of Mice and Men is a Co-Production of Des Moines Metro Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Florida State University, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

PERFORMANCES
Saturday, June 27 at 7:30pm
Sunday, July 5 at 2pm* | SOLD OUT
Friday, July 10 at 7:30pm* | SOLD OUT
Wednesday, July 15 at 7:30pm
Saturday, July 18 at 7:30pm

Join the Waitlist HERE

*Performances where Iowa Radio Reading Information Services (IRIS) will be present to provide live audio descriptions.

Get individual tickets >
Order a subscription >

MUSIC BY
Carlisle Floyd

LIBRETTO BY
Carlisle Floyd

PREMIERED
January 22, 1970
Seattle Opera

SUNG IN
English with English projections

ESTIMATED RUN TIME
2 hours, 20 minutes with one 20-minute intermission

PREVIOUS PRODUCTION
1985