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 […]
Michael Abels
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 […]
Abels: “Borders” Premieres
On September 23, 2022, soloist Mak Grgić, premieres composer Michael Abels’ Borders, Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra, with ROCO (River Oaks Chamber Orchestra) in Houston, TX. Mei-Ann Chen guest-conducts. The two-movement, 17-minute concerto was commissioned for Grgić by ROCO and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (Iowa). The concert will be live-streamed, and will receive a […]
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 […]
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 […]
Abels: Frederick’s Fables
“Fables are stories that contain a life lesson or a moral.” — Michael Abels On March 12, 2022, Michael Abels joins the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra for a performance of his work Frederick’s Fables, conducted by Stilian Kirov. Scored for narrator and orchestra, the 37-minute, four-movement piece showcases fours texts by celebrated children’s author and illustrator […]
Abels: Frederick’s Fables
“Fables are stories that contain a life lesson or a moral.” — Michael Abels On March 12, 2022, Michael Abels joins the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra for a performance of his work Frederick’s Fables, conducted by Stilian Kirov. Scored for narrator and orchestra, the 37-minute, four-movement piece showcases fours texts by celebrated children’s author and illustrator […]
Abels: At War With Ourselves
“I’ve said before that I want to create bulletproof music.” And so, David Harrington, founder and artistic director of the San Francisco-based Kronos Quartet, shares his vision into the ensemble’s latest commissioned work — At War With Ourselves. Composed by Michael Abels, the evening-length work is scored for narrator, string quartet and chorus, and features […]
Abels: Emerge Premieres at NJ Symphony
“For our first public subscription concerts since the COVID-19 shut down, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra wanted to project a sense of catharsis, healing, joy, and wonder.” — Patrick Chamberlain As the 2021-22 performance season begins and the concert world returns to live music, Patrick Chamberlain — NJSO Vice President of Artistic Planning — comments […]
