Opera Parallèle has announced its 2018-19 season featuring a world premiere, a continuing relationship with composer Philip Glass, the return of Rachel Portman, a pivotal new production, and the annual Up Close and Parallèle gala.

Productions 

The season opens with Philip Glass’ “In the Penal Colony” in a new production in collaboration with the Day and Nights Festival. Nicole Paiement conducts a new production by Brian Staufenbiel starring bass-baritone Robert Orth, tenor Javier Abreu, and actor Michael Mohammed.

Performance Dates: Oct. 5 & 7, 2018

The season continues with the company’s annual Up Close and Parallèle Gala: “Creative Rebels” starring mezzo-soprano Eve Gigliotti, baritone Robert Orth, and bass Kenneth Kellogg. The gala will also include with Philip Glass as a Guest of Honor and performer.

Performance Date: Oct. 10, 2018

Rachel Portman and Nicholas Wright’s modern masterpiece “The Little Prince” returns to celebrate the holiday season with a cast that includes Eve Gigliotti, Sophia Stolte, Erin Enriquez, Kindra Scharich, Sabrina Romero-Wilson, Maggie Finnegan, Samuel Faustine, J. Raymond Meyers, Zachary Lenox, Philip Skinner, Christabel Nunoo, and members of the San Francisco Girls Chorus. Nicole Paiement conducts.

Performance Dates: Dec. 7 -9, 2018

The season will also feature the world premiere of “Today It Rains,” a new chamber opera by Laura Kaminsky with a libretto by Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed, based on the original concept by Campbell. The production will include a projection design by Reed and production design concept by Brian Staufenbiel. The cast will feature mezzo-soprano Peabody Southwell as Georgia O’Keeffe, baritone Daniel Belcher as Alfred Stieglitz, soprano Marnie Breckenridge as Beck, and soprano Maya Kherani, mezzo-soprano Kindra Scharich, tenor Elliot Paige, and baritone Gabriel Preisser in the ensemble.

Performance Dates: March 28-31, 2019

The season concludes with Christopher Pratorius Gomez  and Roma Olvera’ “Xochitl and the Flowers.” Martha Salazar conducts the production which will be directed by Beth Wilmurt.

Performance Date: May 18-19, 2019