My first descriptive adjective for this Washington Nationwide Opera manufacturing is thrilling. Think about the agglomeration: In a big rehearsal room, holding roughly 200 viewers members seated on three sides of a sq. staging space, three new operas by three new composers and three new librettists have been premiered; these are new 20-minute operas commissioned by WNO’s AOI program and developed over twelve months in session with a composer mentor, a librettist mentor, a WNO conductor and director, accompanied by a 13-piece chamber ensemble from the WNO Orchestra, and carried out by excellent Cafritz Younger Artist singers. The creation, improvement, and efficiency of those operas was a extremely organized skilled improvement expertise for everybody concerned, leading to a extremely entertaining and culturally enriching expertise for audiences at two performances on Friday night on the WNO Rehearsal Studio in Takoma, DC.
This was opera up shut and private, and mirrored life as we all know it at present with a magical contact or two. In my view, regardless of its limitations, the Rehearsal Studio total supplied a extra rewarding expertise in some methods than performances within the bigger Kennedy Heart’s Terrace Theater, which I additionally liked. For America’s 250th anniversary, Washington Nationwide Opera’s seventieth season, and American Opera Initiative’s thirteenth season, opera was by no means introduced extra ‘of the folks, by the folks, and for the folks’, and I would add “among the many folks”; the Studio’s intimate setting had the Cafritz Younger Artists an arm’s size away from the viewers.
l to r: Anneliese Klenetsky because the spouse, Michelle Mariposa because the guide, and Robert Frazier because the husband in The Curse of the Magi. Photograph by Scott Suchman; courtesy of the Washington Nationwide Opera.
Particular person discussions of The Curse of the Magi, The Mildew and I, and Mickey Dee and the Eclipse comply with, however first some basic feedback. The Cafritz Younger Artists chosen for this efficiency are extremely gifted younger professionals, profitable in quite a few award competitions; for instance, Michelle Mariposa was a winner within the 2025 Metropolitan Opera Laffont competitors. The ten artists chosen for the three operas all have appeared in WNO’s mainstage productions this season; for instance, Viviana Goodwin performed the lead on this 12 months’s Treemonisha. Whereas the pattern measurement was solely twenty minutes, the brand new music in all three operas was detailed, melodic, fulfilling, and supportive of the dramas. Kudos to the composers and to Conductor William Lengthy and the 13-piece WNO Orchestra’s chamber ensemble for the wonderful accompaniment. The restricted lighting results have been properly performed. The staging was restricted to some props, and at present’s put on costumes have been applicable, with one thing particular for the mould. The characters have been moved round appropriately and unfolded in compelling, plausible style (verify the pictures); kudos to Chloe Deal with who directed all three in excellent style. Kudos additionally to composer mentor Anthony Davis, librettist mentor Thulani Davis, and Christopher Cano, Director of the Cafritz Younger Artists and American Opera Initiatives packages, for his or her involvement and contributions.
Anneliese Klenetsky because the spouse, Michelle Mariposa because the guide, and Robert Frazier because the husband. Pictures by Scott Suchman; courtesy of the Washington Nationwide Opera.
The Curse of the Magi – This was, shall we embrace, a ‘fashionable’ riff on O’ Henry’s nice quick story “The Reward of the Magi”. Librettist Faiza Alex Manaa is a New York Metropolis-based librettist and composer-lyricist born in Egypt and raised in Ohio, with a passionate curiosity in arts accessibility. O’ Henry had marriage companions struggling to get by, make sacrifices to purchase their companions a Christmas present, with an ironic twist on the finish. The twist in Manaa’s story, typically expressed in rhyming couplets, is that two disillusioned spouses individually see the identical particular guide for assist with homicide, not divorce, on their minds. The guide, soprano Michelle Mariposa, the spouse, soprano Anneliese Klenetsky, and the husband, bass-baritone Robert Frazier, all had wonderful performances, singing with magnificence, rage, and occasional appeal. In actual fact, they have been so convincing that at the beginning, it was a bit of unnerving, however having exhausted their sense of being wronged to the guide, they rediscovered what introduced them collectively within the first place. All’s properly that ends properly, particularly when informed with comedic touches, aside from the guide, who was irritated at having misplaced two gross sales. Mariposa’s assured and humorous efficiency total may need been my private favourite of the night. I bear in mind the music by composer Christopher Dietz as being fulfilling, enhancing the feelings expressed within the vocals, and embellished by accents from totally different devices. This was composer Dietz’s first opera, whereas his orchestral items have been carried out by ensembles throughout the US and Europe because the early 2000s. And as a reminder, all these productions have been workshopped and acquired enter from all events concerned; they have been crew efforts, a message in itself.
l to r: Nicholas Huff because the mould in human type, Lauren Carroll as Kerry, and Chandler Benn as Devon. Photograph by Scott Suchman; courtesy of the Washington Nationwide Opera.
The Mildew and I – Because the Covid pandemic eases up, Kerry is making ready to maneuver out of her condo the place she has been remoted, to dwell along with her boyfriend Devon, however when cleansing out a mould she present in her closet, the mould involves life and speaks to her. She is cleansing up for a going-away celebration for the mould when Devon arrives to take her away. An emotional battle ensues, because the mould woos Kerry to remain and Devon insists she go away with him. Sentient fungi have been featured in a number of sci-fi tales, often to the detriment of the people. Librettist Hannah Nikka Odsinada is a younger author, librettist, and vocalist who writes “about individuals who yearn for belonging in worlds that by no means fairly accepted them”. The Mildew and I left me pondering precisely what it was about. I used to be rooting for Kerry to enterprise out with Devon, particularly because the mould was making her cough. My spouse thought the mould sang so sweetly, with such empathy, that she might see why Kerry may select him, er… it.
left picture: Lauren Carroll as Kerry and Chandler Benn as Devon. proper picture: Nicholas Huff because the mould and Lauren Carroll as Kerry. Pictures by Scott Suchman; courtesy of the Washington Nationwide Opera.
Once more, the Cafritz Younger Artists have been terrific, singing and performing. Soprano Lauren Carroll performed Kerry; baritone Chandler Benn performed Devon, and Nicolas Huff performed the mould within the closet. The mould’s emergence from the closet draped in an extended stretch of wallpaper was fairly amusing. Ms. Carroll sang with such pathos we felt her ache. Mr. Benn appeared excellent for the position, and Mr. Huff’s singing received most of our hearts. Composer Dan VanHassel’s fulfilling rating started with a jaunty rhythm to mirror Kerry’s hustle and bustle cleansing the condo, then switching to rising and falling tides to mirror the emotional shifts. Whereas participating and entertaining, Mildew and I makes use of the absurd to discover what precisely…the affect of the Covid isolation, the enchantment of light caring in relationships, the battle between security and journey for our souls…..? I’m undecided and possibly that was meant.
Hakeem Henderson as Cosmo with (l to r) Thandolwethu as George, Atticus Rego as Andrés, Michelle Mariposa as Mother, and Viviana Goodwin as Katreesha. Photograph by Scott Suchman; courtesy of the Washington Nationwide Opera.
Mickey Dee and the Eclipse – This begins with an Edward Hopper “Nighthawks” vibe, lonely souls gathered in a burger joint, although the folks have been speaking. The story was impressed by the creators’ experiences through the 2024 photo voltaic eclipse and their questions on its that means. The characters are awaiting the photo voltaic eclipse. UPS driver and widower George confides within the server and good friend Andrés that he has the large C and certain not a lot time to dwell. Daughter Katreesha is arguing along with her divorced mother Sophie over her plans to go to her dad. Because the eclipse arrives, Cosmos seems, signaling that one thing celestial is increasing potentialities, particularly giving new hope to these felt robbed of time by illness and failed relationships. The group dons eclipse glasses and marvels on the occasion collectively. Afterward, their moods and outlooks change, and so they develop into extra conciliatory and loving. Andrès and George acknowledge their friendship, Mother and Katreesha resolve their points, and lonely Mother hits on lonely George. Librettist Anita Gonzalez is a author, director and educator, together with expertise writing librettos. From her artist assertion: “Anita Gonzalez advocates for stunning artwork crafted for social activism and consciousness elevating.” The libretto is well-rounded with a heart-rendering and hopeful ending, although for me, Cosmos’ arrival in a vivid, colourful, magician’s costume, intentionally deliberate to have affect, was off-key, and whereas amusing, clashed with the emphasis on the theme of surprise and connection to one thing larger that causes folks to mirror and are available collectively.
Viviana Goodwin as Katreesha, Thandolwethu Mamba as George and Michelle Mariposa as Mother, and Atticus Rego as Andrés. Pictures by Scott Suchman; courtesy of the Washington Nationwide Opera.
Once more, the solid of singers was uniformly wonderful in singing and performing. George was performed by baritone Thandolwethu Mamba; bass Atticus Rego performed André; soprano Viviana Goodwin performed Katreesha, and Michelle Mariposa performed the mom. It was a pleasure to have the chance to listen to all of them. Composer David Ragland is understood for his opera compositions, which supplied participating music that complemented the stage motion. I feel the theme of Mickey Dee and the Eclipse constituted an concept value pursuing in longer works.
Another adjectives come to thoughts in eager about these operas: enjoyable, attention-grabbing, thought-provoking, affecting, and top quality. The American Opera Initiative, a coaching program for opera professionals and allied artists, supplied probably the most satisfying arts experiences that I’ve had. Whereas the lack of the imprimatur and services of the Kennedy Heart could be disappointing for the Cafritz Younger Artists and the brand new composers and librettists, the expertise they supplied for his or her audiences Friday evening within the smaller Studio observe corridor was wealthy and significant, people-to-people. Three new operas, created by a collaborative strategy of many extremely gifted contributors, signify presents to us all, offering alternatives to return collectively and join by the shared expertise, not an eclipse precisely, however the heavens did appear to open. I counsel AOI contemplate a brand new slogan, “Opera, It’s a Folks Factor.”
First row, composers l to r: Christopher Dietz, Dan VanHassel, and David Raglnd. Second row, librettists l to r: Faiza Alex Manaa, Hannah Nikka Odsinada, and Anita Gonzalez. Pictures courtesy of Washington Nationwide Opera.
The Fan Expertise: Performances of American Opera Initiative’s Three 20-minute Operas have been scheduled for 7 pm and 9 pm within the Washington Nationwide Opera Rehearsal Studio in Takoma, DC on Might 22. Operas have been in English with English subtitles proven on massive displays on both facet of the orchestra.
Washington Nationwide Opera’s 2026-2027 season has been introduced, together with performances of two new AOI program operas on January 15 and 16 within the WNO Rehearsal Studio: Wolf and Lambs. Promote-outs are doubtless, so get your tickets early.
The WNO Rehearsal Studio is a big rehearsal corridor seating round 200 attendees simply contained in the DC line in Northeast DC. Seating shouldn’t be tiered and is restricted to folding chairs on three sides of the efficiency stage (Suggestion: WNO ought to contemplate bringing in momentary flooring for these performances that raises the stage to enhance viewing from the again rows). If you’re delicate to sitting greater than an hour in folding chair seats, carry your stadium cushions. Get there early to get the very best seats, the primary or second rows. Acoustics have been high quality. I believed the chance to listen to the singers of this high quality carry out new operas so near the viewers was vibrant and greater than compensated for the constraints.
The drive from Tysons Nook in Friday afternoon rush hour took an hour and a half; Google maps directed us by DC. Metro is an alternative choice; the Takoma Park metro station is inside strolling distance of the Studio. Parking across the Studio is restricted to on-street parking and parking heaps. On-street parking within the neighborhood is zoned and usually restricted to 2 hours. There are a few paid parking heaps close by. We had a very good dinner at Trattoria da Lina which had a car parking zone beside the restaurant that price $5 for limitless night parking, a couple of block and a half from the Studio. Restricted refreshments can be found in merchandising machines inside.
