Celebrate the spirit, struggle, and resilience of a nation through music in American Promise, a sweeping tribute to the American story. In honor of USA 250, this dynamic program weaves together beloved arias, duets, and ensembles from American opera, operetta, musical theatre, and song.

Strauss and librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal reimagine the Helen myth, set in the aftermath of the Trojan War, as a tale of doubling: a phantom Helen returns to Troy, while the real, faithful Helen has been spirited away from harm. The vengeful husband, Menelaus, surrenders to love; the unfaithful Helen renews her devotion.