CENTRAL CITY — The shady garden outside the Central City Opera House was the perfect place to spend a warm Tuesday afternoon. Flowers were blooming in every direction, trees kept the July sun at bay, and opera fans wandered around the garden before settling in for "The Ballad of Baby Doe."

From noon to 2 p.m. on July 21, 2026, the Central City Opera hosted “Opera Adventures,” a free pre-show event that gave visitors a chance to see what happens before the curtain rises.

Colorful feather boas, sparkling necklaces, fancy hats, corsets, and eye-catching jewelry invited people to play dress-up for a while. The costumes inspired smiles as visitors posed for photos and imagined themselves on stage.

Opera staff member Meg Osaki Grace explains the history and craftsmanship behind the company's costumes, wigs, and accessories during "Opera Adventures."

Photo by Mindy Leary

I couldn't resist joining in. Opera singer and staff member Natacha Condor painted delicate purple flowers across my face and added a few tiny gems. 

A few steps away, another opera staff member handed visitors a baton and explained the basics of conducting. 

We learned the simple patterns conductors use to keep musicians together and how the size of a conductor's gestures tells an orchestra when to play louder, softer, shorter, or longer. It turns out conducting is a little harder than it looks.

The event also offered a look behind the scenes. Staff shared stories about the costume collection stored in the historic Teller House, where rooms are filled with boots, gloves, dresses, feather boas, and other accessories from past productions. 

An opera staff member teaches visitors the basics of conducting, showing how hand movements help lead an orchestra.

Photo by Mindy Leary

They explained how costumes are altered to fit different performers and how a single wig can take about 10 hours to hand-knot before it's even styled.

Visitors could also browse displays connected to "The Ballad of Baby Doe," including historic photographs, an original program from the opera's 1956 world premiere in Central City, and a wedding gown from the company's 2016 production. 

Daniela Guzman, director of education and community engagement, said “Opera Adventures” is meant to introduce people to the company's educational programs while giving them a preview of the afternoon's opera.

Visitors embrace their inner Vikings by trying on horned helmets and posing with stage props during "Opera Adventures" before "The Ballad of Baby Doe."

Photo by Mindy Leary

Before the show had even begun, visitors had learned a few backstage secrets, tried on a little sparkle, and discovered that there's a lot more to the opera than what happens under the lights.