Photo credit: Cory Weaver Opera Parallèle was founded in 2007 by conductor Nicole Paiement to develop and produce contemporary opera. It continues to pioneer the commissioning of new works and exploring underperformed musical creations and landscapes. Coming up in April 2024, Opera Parallèle (OP) joins with SFJAZZ to present “Birds & Balls,” a program of multimedia opera, pairing two short {…}
Opera Parallèle has announced that it has received three major grants to support its upcoming projects. First up, the organization was awarded $25,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in support of its upcoming performances. The grant supports the premiere of “Birds & Balls.” Additionally, the company received $21,250 from the California Arts Council to support its “Expansive: {…}
(Photo credit: Destiny Grace) Opera Parallèle has announced the details of its annual benefit event, “Boum!” taking place on March 14. Mezzo-soprano, activist, and current San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow Nikola Printz previews the upcoming world premiere of “Birds and Balls,” singing the lead role of Billie Jean King. Printz is accompanied by pianist Keisuke Nakagoshi. This year Opera Parallèle {…}
Opera Parallèle will continue its 14th anniversary season with the world premiere of “Birds & Balls,” an ingenious pairing of two witty one-act operas regarding sportsmanship, competition, and gender equality. The operas are David T. Little and Royce Vavrek’s “Vinkensport, or The Finch Opera,” Laura Karpman and Gail Collins’s “Balls.” The works will be presented in collaboration with SFJAZZ, “Birds {…}
Opera Parallèle has commissioned multi-faceted Japanese composer Kenji Oh for his very first opera along with prolific librettist Kelley Rourke to create an adaptation of “The Emissary.” The new family opera is based on the award-winning novel by celebrated Japanese author Yoko Tawada, featuring an English translation by Margaret Mitsutani. The new opera will be performed on Oct. 27 and {…}
(photo by Philip Groshong) San Francisco’s Opera Parallèle has unveiled its 2023-24 season. The season opens with the world premiere of Kenji Oh and Kelley Rourke’s “The Emissary.” Per the official press announcement, the ”audience will journey through a fractured future, a dystopian satire that addresses the alarming environmental angst of today, and the ever-increasing psychological stress on the younger {…}
Opera Parallèle and The Transgender District have announced that they will present the second annual “Expansive” showcase, featuring transgender and non-binary classical artists. The event, which will take place on August 3 and 4 at A.C.T.’s Strand Theater in San Francisco, aims to celebrate the vibrant and vital transgender community and highlight their stories and artistry. The lineup for this {…}
San Francisco’s Opera Parallèle will present a benefit evening entitled, “A Night at The Overlook Hotel….No Work-All Play” at the Lodge at the Regency on April 26, 2023. Inspired by the upcoming opera performance of Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell‘s opera, “The Shining,” the event will transport guests to the theatrical excess and luxury of the Gilded Age. The opera {…}
Opera Parallèle has announced a cast change for “The Shining.” The company said that baritone Robert Wesley Mason will sing the role of Jack Torrance and bass-baritone Kevin Deas will sing the role of Dick Hallorann in the company’s upcoming West Coast premiere. Mason will replace the previously announced singer Edward Parks, who, due to unforeseen changes in his performance schedule, {…}
Opera Parallèle is set to present the West Coast premiere of Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell’s opera “The Shining.” Based on the iconic novel by Stephen King, the opera will be presented from June 2 to 4 in a new production The opera will also be presented in a new chamber orchestration created by the composer, at the Blue Shield {…}
San Francisco-based Opera Parallèle has announced its 2022-23 season. The season kicks off with “Everest: An Immersive Experience.” The Talbot and Scheer opera will be conducted by Nicole Paiement and directed by Brian Staufenbiel. Sasha Cooke, Nathan Granner, Kevin Burdette, Hadleigh Adams, Charlotte Fanvu, Matt Boehler, Shawnette Sulker, Whitney Steele, and Kevin Gino. Performance Dates: Feb. 2-12, 2023 Paul Moravec {…}