Q & A: Christopher James Ray on the Importance of Carlisle Floyd in His Life Ahead of Carnegie Hall Centennial Concert

(Photo Credit: Curtis Brown) On June 20th, Carnegie Hall will host a Carlisle Floyd Centennial concert celebrating one of American opera’s most distinctive voices. Floyd, who authored both music and libretto for his works, built a canon rooted in rural life, the Great Depression, and the post-Civil War American South, earning him the designation of “Dean” or “Father of American {…}

Mar 24, 2026

University of Houston’s Moores Opera Center to Present Houston Premieres of Two Carlisle Floyd Operas

(Photo: Daniel Tchetchik) The University of Houston’s Moores Opera Center will present the Houston premieres of “Slow Dusk” and “Markheim,” a double-bill of one-act operas by Carlisle Floyd, as part of celebrations marking the centennial of the American composer’s birth. Artistic Director Kathleen Smith Belcher directs the production, which stars soprano Ayanna Delk-Lewis and baritone Micah Zimmerman leading “Slow Dusk,” {…}

Feb 27, 2026

Susan Graham Joins Carlisle Floyd Centennial Concert

(Photo: Dario Acosta) Mezzo-soprano Susan Graham has joined the line up for the Carlisle Floyd Centennial concert. The tribute honoring the 100th anniversary of the birth of Carlisle Floyd will take place at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage on June 20, 2026. Graham will sing a scene from Floyd’s rarely performed “The Sojourner and Mollie Sinclair,” one of {…}

Oct 3, 2025

Gabriella Reyes, Edward Nelson, Reginald Smith, Jr., Ryan McKinny to Headline Carlisle Floyd Centennial Concert

(Photo: Daniel Tchetchik) The Carlisle Floyd Centennial (CF100) will mark a historic milestone with a special concert at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. The event will celebrate the 100th birthday of the legendary American composer, widely considered the “Father of American Opera.” The performance will feature excerpts from “Susannah” alongside selections from “Cold Sassy Tree” {…}

Jun 7, 2024

Carlisle Floyd Centennial Announces Plans to Celebrate Famed Composer

The Carlisle Floyd Centennial initiative will celebrate the famed composer’s 100th birthday during the 2026-27 season. Floyd was born on June 11, 1926 and passed away in 2021, leaving behind a major legacy of American opera. Among his most renowned works are “Susannah,” “Of Mice and Men,” and “Cold Sassy Tree.” The celebration will feature partnerships with such organizations as {…}

Feb 5, 2022

Houston Grand Opera Announces Concert to Commemorate Carlisle Floyd

The Houston Grand Opera is set to celebrate composer Carlisle Floyd in a memorial concert on February 11, 2022. The showcase, which will also be live streamed via HGO Digital, will feature selections from some of his most notable operas including “Susannah,” “Of Mice and Men,” and “Cold Sassy Tree.” Patrick Summers will conduct the performance, which will include the {…}

Sep 30, 2021

Obituary: American Opera Composer Carlisle Floyd Dies at 95

Famed composer Carlisle Floyd, who was considered one of the greatest American opera composers in history, has died at the age of 95. Born on June 11, 1926, in Latta, South Carolina, he was the son of a Methodist minister. He began his musical studies in 1943 when he entered Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and studied piano under {…}

Jun 27, 2018

Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series 2018 Review: Schneider, Timpau, and Ramirez Bare All Before the Bronx

As the Metropolitan Opera company’s Summer Recital Series rolls on, the artists and crew took to Williamsbridge Oval Park in the Bronx for an afternoon of arias, duets, and a trio from some of opera’s most cherished composers. Kicking things off was tenor Gerard Schneider, singing “Questa o quella” from Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” This amorous aria made for a spirited opening, {…}

Jun 11, 2018

Opera Profile: Carlisle Floyd, One of the United States’ Great Opera Composers

Many American composers have tried to create “The Next Great American Opera,” but few have succeeded in doing just that. Carlisle Floyd, born on June 11, 1926, did just that. The composer has quite a number of operas to his name, but none stands the test of time quite like “Susannah.” Floyd grew up in South Carolina, eventually moving to {…}

Dec 22, 2016

little Opera theatre of ny To Take on Floyd’s ‘Prince of Players’ in February

Carlisle Floyd’s “Prince of Players” is coming to New York at the little Opera theater of ny (LOTNY) this February at Hunter College. The work follows Edward Kynaston, a famous Shakespearean actor who is know for taking on female roles in the Bard’s plays during the 17th Century. However, when King Charles II allows women to perform and forbids men {…}

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