Marble City Opera, based in Knoxville, Tennessee, has announced its 2021-22 season, which includes three contemporary American operas.

First up will be Audrey Babcock’s “Lily; her life, his music.” The work will feature mezzo-soprano and composer Audrey Babcock as she takes on the one-woman opera featuring music by Kurt Weill. The work explores the character of Lily Weiss as she makes her way through Berlin, Paris, and eventually to New York. The work will be directed by James Marvel and accompanied by Ray Fellman.

Performance Dates: Oct. 29 & 30, 2021

Next up is Leslie Burrs and Brandon J. Gibson’s “I Can’t Breathe.” The opera, which is inspired by repeated instances of police brutality against African Americans, will be produced in partnership with Carpetbag Theatre, the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, and features an all-African American creative team. The work will be conducted by Garrett McQueen.

Performance Dates: Feb. 24-26, 2022

The season ends with “The Copper Queen” which features music by Clint Borzoni and a libretto by John de los Santos. The work won the top prize for Arizona Opera’s commission program and tells the story of a woman who is forced to live in captivity in service to the town’s men in Bisbee, Arizona.

Performance Dates: June 2-4, 2022