Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble has announced its 2022 festival.

The theme of the festival will be “Finding Home,” which Artistic director Chris Fecteau notes as a a particular theme of the three operas the company is set to present.

First up is “Pelléas et Mélisande.” Chuck Hudson directs and Eldred Marshall will perform the score at the keyboard.

Performance Dates: August 6 – 28, 2022

Next up is “Summer, Sun, and Sonnets,” a recital starring Morgan Manifacier, Jessica Bloch, Bo Shimmin, and Ai Ra. They will showcase music by Britten, Fauré, Santoliquido, Rodrigo, Liszt, and Montsalvage.

Performance Date: August 10, 2022

That will be followed up by “Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria.” Caitlyn Koester conducts a period orchestra and Jessica Harika directs.

Performance Dates: August 13 – 27, 2022

Closing out the season will be the professional premiere of “Juana” by Carla Lucero and Alicia Gaspar de Alba. Alfonso J. Piacentini conducts while Rod Gomez directs.

Performance Dates: August 21 – 27, 2022

“Each protagonist, Ulisse, Mélisande, and Juana, is seeking safe haven among strangers and
the freedom to live their own lives to the fullest. It is especially exciting to be presenting the premiere of ‘Juana,’ a Spanish language opera which celebrates the life of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. Juana was Mexican nun famed for her intellect, her poetry and art. She challenged the Inquisition in defense of the women’s rights to education and equality. LatinX audiences will find in her a familiar heroine represented on the Mexican 100 Peso note,” Fecteau said in an official press statement.

There will be additional song recitals on August 18 and 20, 2022.