Holy City Arts & Lyric Opera (HALO) gives the world premiere of its first commissioned work, “Singers & Stanzas,” at the Dock Street Theatre on May 4, beginning at 2 p.m.

Lowcountry poets Marcus Amaker, Evelyn Berry, Abby Duran, and Brittany Porcher, and composer Laura Jobin-Acosta were commissioned to create four new songs on the theme of love. Together they will premiere the new works with mezzo-soprano Lindsay Metzger and baritone Schyler Vargas, and pianist Isaac Hayward. The concert will also feature other songs by living composers.

“The opportunity to bring together Charleston poets, New York-based composer and pianist, and Chicago-based vocalists to create brand new songs and premiere them in the first theatre in the country is a testament to how art unites communities,” said Leah Edwards, General Director of HALO. “Introducing artists, blending genres, creating new works—this is collaboration at its finest.”

Following the concert is a moderated conversation with the artists. They plan to discuss the process of composition, the
logistics of collaborating long-distance, and the natural coming together of poetry and music. This event is the
first time that all of the artists will be in the same place at the same time. “Singers & Stanzas is presented in English. Run time is approximately 1 hour with no intermission.”