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.
Directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz and conducted by music director Corrado Rovaris, 'The Listeners' will have three performances at the Academy of Music, running from September 25th to September 29th. Opera Philadelphia hopes that this long-awaited U.S. premiere will captivate audiences with its compelling narrative and innovative music.
As for 'Woman with Eyes Closed,' which was initially scheduled for a 2020 premiere and later rescheduled due to the pandemic, it will now debut with another opera company in September 2024. This decision was made to ensure the financial stability of Opera Philadelphia, allowing them to focus on other productions for this season.
In addition to 'The Listeners' and 'Woman with Eyes Closed,' another highlight of the upcoming season is the long-awaited performance of 'The Anonymous Lover.' This 1780 work by Joseph Bologne, believed to be the first Black classical composer, will finally hit the stage on January 31st and February 2nd, 2025. The semi-staged production, previously delayed due to financial constraints, will be a significant moment celebrating the contributions of a trailblazing composer.
Furthermore, Opera Philadelphia had to make the difficult decision to drop its season-opening festival, which had been running since 2017 and featured several acclaimed contemporary works. The financial challenges faced by the company led General Director David Devan to announce his retirement at the end of this season after 13 years in the role. Devan's departure marks the end of an era for Opera Philadelphia, but the company remains committed to delivering extraordinary operatic experiences within their revised budget.
Despite these adjustments, Opera Philadelphia's upcoming season still promises to bring exceptional productions to the stage. Another highlight of the season will be Mozart's timeless classic, 'Don Giovanni,' directed by Alison Moritz. After its run at Opera Philadelphia, this production will also be seen at the Cincinnati Opera in June 2025.
With a reduced budget of $10 million for the next season, down from $11.2 million in the current season, Opera Philadelphia has had to make difficult decisions to ensure financial sustainability. However, their dedication to bringing high-quality opera to audiences remains unwavering, and these upcoming productions are a testament to their commitment to the art form.
As the season approaches, opera enthusiasts in Philadelphia and beyond eagerly anticipate the U.S. premiere of 'The Listeners' and the other captivating productions that Opera Philadelphia has in store. Despite the challenges faced over the past year, the company's determination to present inspiring and thought-provoking opera shines through, promising audiences an exciting season ahead.
