Susan Kander

Susan Kander: DBW in Fort Worth

On February 16, 2024, the Fort Worth Opera presents composer Susan Kander and librettist’s Roberta Gumbel’s chamber opera dwb (*driving while black*), directed by Ayvaunn Penn. The production features soprano Marsha Thompson in the role of The Mother, joined by cellist Cremaine Booker and percussionist David Verin. Dwb is a 45-minute, one-woman monodrama that originally […]

Paul Moravec: Sanctuary Road – Shout from Every Rooftop

“Shout from every rooftop. Loud as can be: free.’” – Mark Campbell, librettist, Sanctuary Road On January 26 and 28, 2024, the Virginia Opera presents a staged version of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Paul Moravec and fellow Pulitzer-winner librettist Mark Campell’s acclaimed oratorio Sanctuary Road. Kimille Howard directs, and Everett McCorvey conducts both performances at the […]

Michael Abels: A Great Privilege

“It’s a great privilege to bring Omar to San Francisco.” And so notes Matthew Shilvock, General Director of the San Francisco Opera, on the eve of the opera company’s November 5, 2023 performance of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Michael Abels – and fellow Pulitzer Prize-winning co-composer/librettist Rhiannon Giddens’ – opera, Omar. The work was commissioned by […]

Susan Kander: DWB in Des Moines

The Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) brings to life Susan Kander’s chamber opera dwb (driving while black) for three performances in July 2023. Written with librettist and soprano Roberta Gumbel, the 45-minute work is scored for soprano, cello, and percussion. dwb premiered in 2018 at the Lawrence Arts Center in Kansas featuring Gumbel as the […]

Abels: Omar goes to Boston

“Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) has been eager for New England audiences to encounter Omar since we became a partner in creating this extraordinary new opera.” – Bradley Vernatter On the eve of the BLO’s New England premiere of co-composers Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels’ work Omar, General Director & CEO Bradley Vernatter shares some thoughts […]

Neri: Escobar “Love Duet” at Opera ATX

“I am thrilled to showcase the beautiful ‘Love Duet’ from the opera, Escobar, composed by the brilliant Matteo Neri and featuring the captivating libretto written by Alejandra Villarreal Martinez.” And so, Claudia Chapa, Austin Opera Curator for Latinx and Hispanic Programming, introduces Subito Music’s latest operatic venture when Matteo Neri and Alejandra Martinez’s “Love Duet” […]

Abels: Omar in LA – Director’s Cut

Welcome back to our short series leading up to the Los Angeles Opera’s West Coast premiere of Michael Abels’ opera Omar, co-composed with Grammy winning-artist and librettist Rhiannon Giddens. The opera tells the story of historical figure Omar Ibn Said, who was an 18th century West African scholar (from modern-day Senegal) who was captured by […]

Abels: Omar in LA – Librettist Voice

As we approach the Los Angeles Opera’s West Coast premiere of Michael Abels’ opera Omar, we check-in with Grammy-winner Rhiannon Giddens. Giddens co-composed original music for Omar and also wrote the opera’s English-language libretto. Omar was commissioned by the Spoleto Festival USA (Charleston, SC) and received its premiere in May 2022. The opera is scored […]

Abels: Omar Goes to LA

On October 22, 2022, the Los Angeles Opera presents Michael Abels’ opera Omar, in its second performances following the opera’s May 2022 premiere which took place at the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, SC. Commissioned by Spoleto Festival USA and Carolina Performing Arts, Omar was co-composed with Grammy-winning musician and librettist Rhiannon Giddens. The two-act […]

Michael Abels

Abels: Bringing OMAR to Life

On May 27, 2022, Spoleto Festival USA presents the world premiere of the opera Omar, co-composed by Grammy-winner Rhiannon Giddens, and two-time Emmy nominee and Subito composer Michael Abels. The opera features a libretto written by Giddens; and, the production will be directed by Kaneza Schaal. John Kennedy conducts the eight-member cast (and chorus) which […]