Opera Columbus brings Valentine’s weekend performances of The Anonymous Lover to downtown Columbus’ historic Palace Theatre
Valentine’s weekend dates set at the Palace Theatre
Opera Columbus is scheduled to return to the Palace Theatre in downtown Columbus for a Valentine’s weekend presentation of The Anonymous Lover, with performances set for Friday, February 13, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. The engagement is presented at the Palace Theatre on West Broad Street.
A rarely heard 18th-century romantic comedy
The Anonymous Lover (1780), also known by its French title L’Amant Anonyme, is a two-act chamber opera by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The work is adapted from a comedic play by Stéphanie Félicité de Genlis (Madame de Genlis). Opera Columbus has described the piece as Bologne’s most successful opera and the only one of his operas known to survive today.
The opera’s story centers on Léontine, a wealthy young widow who begins receiving letters and gifts from a secret admirer. The admirer is ultimately revealed to be her friend Valcour, who conceals his identity while testing whether his feelings will be returned. The plot unfolds through misunderstandings and culminates in a resolution focused on trust and mutual commitment.
New adaptation and bilingual performance format
For this Columbus staging, the production incorporates a new book adaptation by Boston playwright Kirsten Greenidge. The adaptation blends spoken English dialogue with sung passages in French. Performance materials for the event indicate the opera will be presented in French and English with English captions.
Context: a work with growing visibility
Programming notes for the production emphasize the opera’s place in music history and identify it as among the earliest known operas composed by a Black artist. In recent years, The Anonymous Lover has appeared with increasing frequency in U.S. opera programming as companies broaden repertory beyond the most commonly staged 19th-century titles.
Related events and accessibility offerings
Opera Columbus’ published February 2026 calendar also lists a community event connected to the production: “Coffee with the Creatives of The Anonymous Lover,” scheduled for February 4, 2026.
Performance 1: Friday, February 13, 2026, 7:30 p.m. (Palace Theatre)
Performance 2: Sunday, February 15, 2026, 2:00 p.m. (Palace Theatre)
Accessibility: Audio description, a touch tour, and Braille programs are listed for the Sunday performance.
Opera Columbus has positioned the Valentine’s weekend engagement as a return to the Palace Theatre with a romantic-comedy opera aligned to the holiday weekend.
Ticketing for the Palace Theatre performances is being handled through the venue’s presenting organization, with purchasing options listed through the CAPA ticket center.