Lawrence Brownlee, Sir Willard White, Patricia Racette, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Raven McMillan Headline Opera Philadelphia’s 2021-22 Season

Opera Philadelphia has announced its 2021-22 season, which includes both in-person and video productions throughout the year. So let’s kick it off with the onstage performances. On Stage It all starts with “Amici e Rivali” starring Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres. This pre-season concert will showcase the two tenors alongside conductor Corrado Rovaris and the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus {…}

May 11, 2021

Arts Organizations Partner for World Premiere of Daniel Roumain’s ‘They Still Want to Kill Us’

On May 25, 2021, Opera Philadelphia, in partnership with arts organizations nationwide, will present the World Premiere of Daniel Bernard Roumain’s new short film “They Still Want to Kill Us.” The film is directed by filmmaker Yoram Savion and consists of an aria to be performed by mezzo-soprano J’nai Bridges. The project commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa {…}

Mar 5, 2021

Opera Philadelphia to Premiere ‘The Island We Made’

Opera Philadelphia has announced that it will stream “The Island We Made.” The new digital offering will combine ethereal electronic music, personal storytelling, arthouse filmmaking, and the transformative art of drag lip-sync to form an art-opera film. “The Island We Made” was created by composer Angélica Negrón, drag superstar Sasha Velour, and filmmaker Matthew Placek and is based on the {…}

Feb 24, 2021

‘Breaking the Waves,’ ‘Celebrating RBG’s 88th Birthday’ Headline Opera Philadelphia’s Spring Streaming Slate

Opera Philadelphia has announced new programming for its digital channel. First up, the company will be presenting the 2016 premiere production of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s “Breaking the Waves.” The presentation is in collaboration with Los Angeles Opera. The opera starred Kiera Duffy as Bess McNeill alongside John Moore, Eve Gigliotti, David Portillo, and Zachary James, among others. Streaming {…}

Feb 22, 2021

‘For the Love of Opera’ to Celebrate Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Birthday

On Monday, March 15, Opera Philadelphia Channel will present a new operatic event showcasing U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s favorite arias on what would have been her 88th birthday. The event will be presented by the National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH), Opera Philadelphia, and the Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience at The {…}

Feb 12, 2021

Opera Philadelphia to Premiere Courtney Bryan’s ‘Blessed’

Opera Philadelphia is set to present the premiere of Courtney Bryan’s “Blessed” as part of its Digital Commissions Series starting on Feb. 28, 2021. “Blessed” received its inspiration from the Bible verse Matthew 5 “blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth,” through the context of recent protests against police brutality. With Bryan’s piano improvisations serving as the {…}

Feb 4, 2021

Opera Meets Film: How Johnathan McCullough Marries Opera & Film in ‘Soldier Songs’

“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a film section or a film in its entirety and highlight the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features Opera {…}

Jan 22, 2021

Q & A: Baritone Johnathan McCullough on Starring & Directing the Film Version of ‘Soldier Songs’

There’s no doubt what video productions have meant for the opera world over the last year. With COVID-19 continuing to rage, live performance is simply not an option at this moment and will struggle to become the norm once again for some time. In its stead, companies have turned to the magic of cinema and streaming options available for distribution. {…}

Jan 21, 2021

Opera Philadelphia to Premiere ‘Soldier Songs’

On Jan. 22, Opera Philadelphia will present David T. Little’s “Soldier Songs” on its Opera Philadelphia Channel. The work was filmed on location at the Brandywine Conservancy in Chester County, Pennsylvania, by the site of the American Revolution’s Battle of Brandywine in 1777. The film stars Johnathan McCullough, who also serves as director and co-screenwriter along with producer James Darrah. Opera {…}

Jan 7, 2021

Opera Philadelphia Launches Trailer for ‘Soldier Songs’

Opera Philadelphia has launched the first trailer for its film version of David T. Little’s “Soldier Songs.” The opera film, which is set to premiere on Jan. 22, 2021, will star baritone Johnathan McCullough, who is also making his directorial debut with the project. The project was originally set to be performed as a stage production that would travel and {…}

Dec 11, 2020

John Holiday to Headline Tyshawn Sorey’s ‘Save the Boys’ on Opera Philadelphia Channel

Opera Philadelphia is set to present Tyshawn Sorey’s “Save the Boys” on Feb. 12, 2021. The showcase will feature countertenor John Holiday, who in addition to a heralded operatic career, has recently made major headlines by his star turn on NBC’s “The Voice.” “Save the Boys” was inspired by an 1887 poem of the same name by Frances Ellen Watkins {…}

opera philadelphia