Opera Philadelphia is set to open its season with the delayed U.S. premiere of Missy Mazzoli's 'The Listeners' on September 25th. This decision comes after the company had to abandon the world premiere of Jennifer Higdon's 'Woman with Eyes Closed' due to budget constraints.
'The Listeners,' featuring a libretto by Royce Vavrek and based on Jordan Tannahill's story, explores charismatic leaders, cult-like rituals, and a mysterious environmental hum that only a few individuals can hear. The opera originally premiered at the Norwegian Opera on September 24th, 2022, and now soprano Nicole Heaston will reprise her role from the original production.
