LA Opera has commissioned some of today’s most in-demand artists to create a series of short musical films.
Superstar composers team up with talented visual artists including animators, experimental filmmakers and choreographers to create a number of new pieces that expand the concept of what opera can be.
Featured composers include (left to right): Du Yun, Gabriela Lena Frank, Missy Mazzoli, Tamar-kali, David Lang, Tyshawn Sorey, Matthew Aucoin
The Five Moons of Lorca
Composer: Gabriela Lena Frank
Librettist: Nilo Cruz
Filmmaker: Matthew Diamond
Choreographer / Solo Dancer: Irene Rodríguez
Musicians: countertenor Jacob Ingbar, pianist Nicholas Roehler, and members of the LA Opera Chorus
Premiere: December 11, 2020
Watch here
The West is a Land of Infinite Beginnings
Composer: Missy Mazzoli
Librettist: Royce Vavrek
Director: James Darrah
Musical performers: bass Andrew Harris, conductor Christopher Rountree, the International Contemporary Ensemble
Premiere: January 15, 2021
Watch here
Lumee's Dream
Based on an excerpt from the opera "p r i s m" (librettist: Roxie Perkins)
Composer: Ellen Reid
Mezzo-soprano soloist: Rebecca Jo Loeb
Viola soloist: Nadia Sirota
Co-director and director of photography: James Darrah
Co-director and editor: Adam Larsen
Premiere: January 29, 2021
Death
A setting of the poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Composer: Tyshawn Sorey
Film director: Nadia Hallgren
Performers: mezzo-soprano Amanda Lynn Bottoms, pianist Howard Watkins
Premiere: February 19, 2021
BROWN SOUNDS
A setting of a poem by Henry Dumas
Composer: Ayanna Witter-Johnson
Executive Producer / Conceptual Creator: Raehann Bryce-Davis
Filmmaker: Jérémy Adonis
Costume Designer / Stylist: Allan Virgo
Performers: mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis, dancer Lateef Williams, pianist Jeanne-Minette Cilliers
Premiere: March 26, 2021
let me come in
Composer: David Lang
Producer/filmmaker: Bill Morrison
Performers: soprano Angel Blue; violist David Creswell; cellist Anja Wood; percussionist Miles Salerni; conductor Bryan Wagorn
Premiere: April 30, 2021
Gallup
Settings of poetry by Jake Skeets
Composer: Matthew Aucoin
Filmmaker: Blackhorse Lowe
Performers: baritone Davóne Tines, countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, AMOC (American Modern Opera Company)
Premiere: May 28, 2021
The Zolle Suite
Composer/librettist: Du Yun
Producer: Ron Diamond, Acme Filmworks
Animators: Steven Woloshen, Benjamin Swiczinsky, Kristian Pedersen, Oliver Harrison
Performers: narrator Du Yun, conductor Julian Wachner, mezzo-soprano Hai-Ting Chinn, International Contemporary Ensemble
Premiere: July 9, 2021
Watch here
The First Bluebird in the Morning
Composer: Carlos Simon
Librettist: Sandra Seaton
Project: The First Bluebird in the Morning
Filmmaker/choreographer: Jamar Roberts
Dancer: Lloyd Knight
Musical performers: tenor Joshua Blue; cellist Anja Wood; pianist Howard Watkins
Premiere: September 24, 2021
WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS
A setting of poetry by Paul Laurence Dunbar ("We Wear the Mask"), Langston Hughes ("I, Too"), Claude McKay ("If We Must Die"), Tamar-Kali ("Requiem for Elijah McClain")
Composer: Tamar-kali
Filmmaker: dream hampton
Performers: conductor Anthony Parnther, tenor Ashley Faatoalia, baritone Cedric Berry, Selah Gospel Choir, spoken word artist Samuel Getachew and members of the LA Opera Orchestra.
Premiere: March 4, 2022
BETWEEN THE ROOMS
A setting of verses by Emily Dickinson for soprano and string quintet
Composer: Anna Clyne
Director, choreographer, editor: Kim Brandstrup
Dancers: Alina Cojocaru, Matthew Ball
Musical performers: soprano Joelle Harvey, The Knights (Eric Jacobsen, conductor; Colin Jacobsen, Kristi Helberg, violin; Mario Gotoh, viola; Caitlin Sullivan; Logan Coale, bass)
Premiere: May 13, 2022
