With the New York Opera Fest 2018 officially underway, OperaWire will be showcasing small previews for each major participant at the festival, as we did during last year’s event. However, we are doing things a bit differently this year and giving the floor directly to each company to speak to you, the reader, directly. Enjoy!

If you are looking for a nod back to your favorite opera stars of the past, then look no further than the little OPERA theatre of ny and its presentation at this year’s NY Opera Fest.

Performance Dates

June 6, 2018 – the little OPERA theatre of ny presents the New York Premiere of This Little Light of Mine: the stories of Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price: Merkin Concert Hall, Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th St, New York, NY

Tell us a bit about your company in general and what you’re all about!

the little OPERA theatre of ny was founded to strip the artifice away from opera and make it an intimate experience, reconnecting the audience to the story and the music. Thinking about a different scale of opera as a way to make the art form more approachable to a new public, and at the same time challenge experienced opera goers and performers to think differently about something which they care passionately is central to the little OPERA theatre of ny.

Tell us a bit about your production(s) and why you’re excited about them!

Adrienne Danrich has appeared in two earlier LOTNY concerts, and are excited to bring her original show ‘This Little Light of Mine: The Stories of Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price’ to NYC audiences. In these troubling times, we all need role models who inspire us. Both Ms. Anderson and Ms. Price continue to inspire a younger generation of singers. They broke barriers and helped remind us that music – and classical music – can be for everyone.

Tell us why you’re excited about this year’s New York Opera Festival!

There is so much exciting opera activity happening all over New York City, from classics and operetta to new works; in both familiar and unexpected venues. New York Opera Alliance’s Festival is really helping to get the word out. Our “Floydiana” concert was part of the first year, and we are happy to be able to participate this season.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge small opera companies face?

These days, all opera companies big and small are challenged by the amount streaming entertainment available, often free or at a nominal subscription. Rekindling audiences thrill at a live performance is key to getting them off the couch.