Lawrence Brownlee, Sir Willard White, Patricia Racette, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Raven McMillan Headline Opera Philadelphia’s 2021-22 Season

By David Salazar

Opera Philadelphia has announced its 2021-22 season, which includes both in-person and video productions throughout the year.

So let’s kick it off with the onstage performances.

On Stage

It all starts with “Amici e Rivali” starring Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres. This pre-season concert will showcase the two tenors alongside conductor Corrado Rovaris and the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus in music by Rossini.

Performance Date: August 26, 2021

Then in the New Year, audiences will be able to check out a double bill featuring Stravinsky’s “Oedipus Rex” and George Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning composition “Lilacs.” William Burden, Mark S. Doss, and Rehanna Thelwell headline the Stravinsky classic while Tiffany Townsend stars in “Lilacs.”

Performance Dates: Jan. 21 & 23, 2022

Director Lindy Hume directs “Rigoletto” in a production that may remind American audiences about a former 45th President. The production will be conducted by Corrado Rovaris and stars Anthony Clark Evans, Joshua Blue, and Raven McMillon.

Performance Dates: April 29 – May 8, 2022

Streaming (all premiering on Opera Philadelphia Channel)

“The Drama of Tosca” will be the first work to stream in the new season. The opera starred Ana María Martínez, Brian Jagde, and Quinn Kelsey with Corrado Rovaris conducting the condensed concert version of the opera.

Streaming Date: June 17, 2021

The Opera Philadelphia Chorus will headline “Organ Day” which will feature music by Verdi, Wagner, and a number of modern composers including Hannah Kendall, Melissa Dunphy, Marcus DeLoach, and David Hurd.

Streaming Date: July 2021

James Darrah directs “La Voix Humaine” with Patricia Racette starring.

Streaming Date: September 2021 

Anthony Roth Costanzo will bring his famed “Glass Handel” production alongside producer Cath Brittan and avant-garde fashion / art company Visionaire.

Streaming Date: October 2021

Henze’s “El Cimmarón” will star Sir Willard White in his Opera Philadelphia debut. The production will be directed by Raelle Myrick-Hodges.

Streaming Date: November 2021 

The company will also be commissioning three new works by new composers; each one will be released in the fall 2021, winter 2022, and spring 2022, respectively.

The company also announced that it would be bringing back several productions that it streamed throughout 2020 and 2021 including Johnathan McCullough’s “Soldier Songs,” “La Traviata” starring Lisette Oropesa, and “Save the Boys” starring John Holiday, among others.

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