Hawai’i Opera Theatre has announced its digital 2020-21 season.

For the new season, the organization has created completely original content featuring local talent from Honolulu. Concerts will be presented via the Hawai’i Opera Theatre’s virtual concert hall.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced all performing arts organizations to reimagine how we share our art.  While nothing can replace the thrill of live opera, I believe we have come up with an engaging and varied season of programming that demonstrates the creativity of this company and pushes the boundaries of what makes opera, well, opera!” General Director Andrew Morgan stated in a press release. “We decided early on that HOT Digital productions would not try to replicate live experiences – those will come back as soon as we can – so each project embraces an ‘independent cinema’ quality.  At the same time, the digital platform allows us to expand our reach well beyond the Hawaiian Islands.  We can’t wait to share these programs with the world!”

The season kicks off with “Bon Appétit! Opera in the Kitchen.” The opera by Lee Hoiby will star HOT Orvis Opera Studio Resident Sarah Lambert Connelly.

Streaming Date: Oct. 2, 2020

Next up is “Chicken Skin Serenades” which the company is billing as “what happens if Shakespeare met Verdi at a Halloween Party set to a classical mix of music with the artistic influence of The Ring (that’s the film version, not Wagner).”

The work will feature HOT Orvis Opera Studio Resident Artists Leslie Goldman, Sarah Lambert Connelly, Oaklea Rowe,  Iakuinipua’okahana Kelsey, and Falefia Jr. Brandon Fuamatu.

Streaming Date: Oct. 16, 2020