Opera Omaha will premiere eleven original pieces of music created through the Poetry & Music Project.

The pieces will premiere on May 16, 2021 and will be hosted live by Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason and Holland Community Opera Fellow Fernando Antonio Montejano

The virtual concert will feature original songs composed by Matt Browne and Frances Pollock with lyrics by student poets performed by Holland Community Opera Fellows Jared Hiscock, Gwenna Fairchild-Taylor, and Nicholas Davis.

The songs will delve into themes such as uncovering history, the range of emotions of 2020 from happiness to loneliness, odes to family members, nature, and sense of place.

In a statement Lauren Medici, Opera Omaha Director of Engagement Programs said, “We received so many wonderful poems this year and hearing the words of these young poets inspire beautiful songs is incredible. Each year the music created through this project is fantastic, but this year especially the pieces capture and reflect the unique experiences of the past year amplified through song,”

This event will be streamed on Opera Omaha’s Facebook and YouTube and is free and open to the public.