(Credit: Opera Philadelphia)

Music Academy of the West will soon present the West Coast premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning Composer-in-Residence Jennifer Higdon’s “Cold Mountain.”

Based on Charles Frazier’s novel, the opera, described in the press release as an “American odyssey of love, honor, and redemption at the close of the Civil War,” tells the story of Confederate soldier W.P. Inman’s desertion and dangerous journey back home to his beloved Ada Monroe.

Directed by James Darrah, “Cold Mountain” will feature members of the Academy’s esteemed Vocal Institute. Evan Bravos will star as Inman, alongside Anneliese Klenetsky as Ada, Talin Nalbandian as Ruby, Sangmoon Lee as Teague, Andrew Zimmerman as Veasey, Titus Muzi as Monroe / Pangle, Peter Barber as Stobrod / Blind Man, Samantha Rose Williams as Lucinda, Meagan Martin as Sara, Ryan Hurley as Reid, Samuel Kidd as Owens / Ethan, Magdalena Kuzma as Lila, Sun-Ly Pierce as Olivia, Kady Evanyshyn as Claire, Hayden J. Smith as Junior / Charlie, and Alexander Kapp as Thomas. Rounding out the cast are Logan Tanner, Tayte Mitchell, Matthew Soibelman, and Shawn Roth as the chorus. Daniela Candillari will lead the Academy Festival Orchestra.

Performances will take place at the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara on August 2 & 4, 2019.