Florida-based Frost Opera Theater and the Frost Symphony Orchestra are set to present the world premiere of Michael Dellaira and J.D. McClatchy’s “The Leopard” on March 5, 2022.

The opera which is based on the 1958 novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa (which was the basis for the famed film by Luchino Visconti) will be conducted by Gerard Schwarz and Music Director Alan Johnson and directed by Jeffrey Buchman.

The opera will star Kim Josephson, Robynne Redmon, Frank Ragsdale, and guest artist Kevin Short, all of whom will be joined by students of the Frost Opera Theater.

“The Leopard” represents the third collaboration between Dellaira and McClatchy following “The Secret Agent” and “The Death of Webern.” The former was commissioned by the Center for Contemporary Opera, Long Leaf Opera, and San Antonio Opera and had its premiere in 2011. “The Death of Webern” premiered in 2015 with faculty, alumni and students of the Frost Opera Theater performing and Alan Johnson conducting.