The Los Angeles Philharmonic has announced that it will be touring a semi-staged production of “Fidelio” created for Deaf and hearing audiences.

The tour, set for May 26 – June 23, 2024, will be presented in collaboration with Deaf West Theatre and El Sistema’s Coro de Manos Blancas. The opera will feature Deaf actors performing in sign language. The production opens at Walt Disney Concert Hall on May 16 and 17 before heading to the Gran Teatre del Liceu on May 26 & 27, the Philharmonie de Paris on May 31, and then the Barbican Centre on June 3, 2024.

The production is directed by Alberto Arvelo and Joaquín Solano and stars Tamara Wilson, Andrew Staples, James Rutherford, Gabriella Reyes, Shenyang, David Portillo, and Patrick Blackwell. Deaf West Theatre performers include Amelia Hensley, Daniel N. Durant, Hector Reynoso, Sophia Morales, Mervin Primeaux O’Bryant, Otis Jones, and Giovanni Maucere.

“Throughout the LA Phil’s history, we have been committed to reducing barriers for audiences to participate in musical experiences,” said Gustavo Dudamel, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Music & Artistic Director in an official press statement.”When we first presented ‘Fidelio’ in 2022, we were amazed by how audiences connected to the work in new and unexpected ways. We are thrilled not only to have the opportunity to bring this production back to Los Angeles, but to be able to introduce Beethoven’s only opera to European audiences in a way that has never before been done… It is a great honor again to partner with Deaf West Theatre and El Coro de Manos Blancas, who we collaborated with to create this production, as we further our mission to show the world the truly transformational power of music.”