New Works Showcase
Enjoy a showcase of new works selected from applicants across the country, which celebrates the creativity of some of today’s most outstanding composers and librettists. The evening featured a selection of operas currently in development alongside OPERA America’s New Works Forum, the premier national convening dedicated to new American opera.
This OPERA America Onstage event took place on Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at the National Opera Center in New York City.
Featured Works
1. Ululations and Gurgles of the Invisible (Video Presentation)
Composed by Elisabet Curbelo
Guerilla Opera
Ululations and Gurgles of the Invisible is a metaphysical experience, that delves deep into the themes of being, knowing, and belonging. Inspired by the poems of Federico García Lorca, “Ululations” is a 4-part work for soprano, percussion, piano, and dancers where multisensory experiences are connected by motion sensors and performed entirely through American Sign Language.
Movement 1
"The Silent Boy"
For solo percussionist
Performed by Mike Williams
Movement 2
"Gurgles"
For dancers wearing motion sensors
Performed by Zahna Simon of the Urban Dance Company
Movement 3
"Betrothal"
For soprano and pianist
Performed by Angela Yam and Yoko Hagino
2. Faces in the Flames
Composed by Nathan Felix
Libretto by Anita Gonzalez
Three scenes tell the story of African American photographer Thomas Askew (1847-1914), an Atlanta resident whose images captured the dignity of African Americans during a time when only stereotypical imagery of Blacks circulated. His studio with his images burned in the Great Atlanta Fire of 1917
Excerpt #1
Aria – "The Parlor"
It is 1900 and we are in Atlanta GA. The scene takes place in photographer Thomas Askew’s parlor. The international scholar W.E.B DuBois has just asked Thomas to send his photographs to the Paris Exposition. Askew’s wife Mary, reminds Thomas that they already have a wonderful life in Atlanta.
Excerpt #2
Duet – "The Great Fire and Memories"
Thomas Askew is now dead and his studio has been destroyed by the Great Atlanta fire. Two of his photographic subjects, a mother and a daughter, search the ruins for memories of when they posed for Askew.
Excerpt #3
Chorus – "Embers of Something New"
In the final anthem, the community sings that the photographs will carry a legacy of dignity.
3. My Dearest Friend
Composed by Patricia Leonard
America's first “power couple,” John and Abigail Adams shared a correspondence of over 1,100 letters from 1762-1801 that detailed some of the most significant events in American history. Their personal accounts of America's political tensions with Great Britain and their unyielding determination to design a new independent nation are beautifully nuanced with descriptions of domestic life in Boston and underscored with Abigail's tremendous personal sacrifices to support her husband's political career. My main goal for this opera was to carefully choose letters that highlight this dynamic partnership which steered the course of American history in a bold new direction, and demonstrate Abigail's great influence on John Adams which would, in turn, benefit an entire nation.
This opera is appropriately titled My Dearest Friend, which was John and Abigail's salutation to each other in their numerous letters.
This select aria, "How Lonely Are My Days?" is the critical moment late in the opera where the main character (Abigail Adams) realizes that the sum of her years of marriage has come at a high cost; the music is dramatic and shifts from present to past, recalling simpler days when she and John were courting, and he was a lawyer.
4. Monkey: A Kung Fu Puppet Parable
Composed by Jorge Sosa
Libretto by Cerise Lim Jacobs
White Snake Projects
Monkey: A Kung Fu Puppet Parable, is a family-friendly transmedia opera combining Bunraku-style puppetry, computer-generated images, and live opera. Monkey is based on the Chinese quest saga, Journey to the West, rewritten to reflect contemporary issues from the multicultural mosaic of American life. Besides the two fundamental operatic elements of text and music, the three main characters - Monkey, Pig (Zhu), and Sandwoman (Sha) - are life sized puppets. Monkey delves into the world of computer-generated technology through the use of CGI environs and avatars. Live singers on stage will be the voices of the puppets and avatars.
Description of Scenes: Spoken narrative of how Buddha imprisoned Monkey under the rock as punishment for his misdeeds. "Monkey Aria" Spoken narrative that which Monkey is charged to protect the Monk, gather the pilgrims, and go on a quest to get the sutras; Mara is the evil queen who wants the sutras. "Mara Aria" Speaks a narrative about how Monkey with the help of the pilgrims and Guan Yin set off on their adventure and that they will face several challenges along the way. The first one is to defeat Mara impersonating the Slave Queen who has captured the Monk. "Duet between Monkey and Mara as they battle over the Monk" Will the pilgrims be defeated? Will Monkey earn his place alongside the Buddha?
Faces in the Flames by Nathan Felix and Anita Gonzalez (credit: Marcel Sokalski)
Faces in the Flames by Nathan Felix and Anita Gonzalez (credit: Marcel Sokalski)
My Dearest Friend by Patricia Leonard (credit: Marcel Sokalski)
My Dearest Friend by Patricia Leonard (credit: Marcel Sokalski)
Monkey: A Kung Fu Puppet Parable by Jorge Sosa and Cerise Lim Jacobs (credit: Marcel Sokalski)
Monkey: A Kung Fu Puppet Parable by Jorge Sosa and Cerise Lim Jacobs (credit: Marcel Sokalski)
Monkey: A Kung Fu Puppet Parable by Jorge Sosa and Cerise Lim Jacobs (credit: Marcel Sokalski)
The 2024–2025 season of OPERA America Onstage is supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Programming at the National Opera Center is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
