Making Opera Accessible to All: Cincinnati Opera’s Access Night

Disability Pride Flag

Access to opera can sometimes feel out of reach, especially for audience members with diverse abilities and accommodation needs. Cincinnati Opera strives to change that with its second annual Access Night at the Opera, on Saturday, June 15, with its season-opening production of Mozart's Don Giovanni.  

Access Night is also presented in part to celebrate Disability Pride Month, which takes place in July. For more events surrounding Disability Pride Month, please visit the Disability Pride Cincy website. 

What makes Access Night different from other Cincinnati Opera performances? This special evening is designed to shine a light on the numerous accessibility resources available at Music Hall. In fact, many of these services and resources are available at every Cincinnati Opera mainstage performance! Some of the accommodations available on Access Night and throughout the season include: 

  • ASL-interpreted Opera Insights 
    One hour before the performance in Music Hall’s Corbett Tower (Access Night only) 

  • Large-print programs 

  • Braille programs 

  • Projected English translations  
    Visible above the stage and on screens throughout the auditorium during the performance.  

  • Audio description 
    Live descriptions of the stage action for people who are visually impaired. 

  • Assistive listening system 
    Special devices designed to enhance the sound of the performance. 

  • Wheelchair spaces 
    All levels of Music Hall are accessible by elevator and wheelchair spaces with companion seats are on each floor.  

  • Accessible parking and assistance for people using wheelchairs 

  • Bariatric seating 

We’re grateful to our partners at the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) as well as the Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired for helping make many of these resources available. Please visit the Accessibility page on our website for more information. 


Access Night Partners