The Climate Opera Project

Tue, Apr 23, 2024
Visiting Presenter

American Opera Projects (AOP)
Present
The Climate Opera Project

The Climate Opera Project is a collection of four short operas celebrating Earth Day 2024 depicting unlikely heroes reeling from the cataclysm of human-influenced natural disasters. From a revengeful polar bear watching its home disappear to a water-stealing cactus, these operas tackle issues of the environment with humor and hope.

Directed by Sam Helfrich
Music Direction by Jeremy Chan

The Operas:
Old King Trout by Andrew Lynch (Composer & Librettist)

The Thieving Cactus by Gavin Knittle (Composer) & Ashton Tibbitt (Librettist)

Polar by William Barnett (Composer) & Fred Sauter (Librettist)

The Watering Hole by Willem Oosthuysen (Composer) & Tristen Moseley (Librettist)


Additional music by Randall Eng


Featuring performances by: Melisa Bonetti (Mezzo), Gideon Dabi (Baritone), Sarah Moulton Faux (Soprano), Jordan Rutter-Covatto (Countertenor), and Esther Yi-An Tien (Mezzo)

Piano: Jeremy Chan

Set Design by Josh Oberlander
Lighting Design by Kristen Paige
Costume Design by Amanda Roberge

The Climate Opera Project is a collaboration between American Opera Projects (AOP) and the NYU/Tisch Opera Lab. The Opera Lab Directors: Randall Eng (Associate Arts Professor, NYU/Tisch's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program) & Sam Helfrich (Associate Arts Professor in the department of Design for Stage and Film at NYU/Tisch)

Currently celebrating its 35th anniversary, Brooklyn’s American Opera Projects (AOP) is at the forefront of the contemporary opera movement through its commissioning, developing, and producing of opera and music theater projects, training programs for student and emerging composers and librettists, and community engagement. The Climate Opera Project is the sixth AOP premiere at BAM: Savage Winter (2018), Three Way (2017), Hagoromo (2015), As One (co-produced with BAM Professional Development Program, 2014) and Out Cold (2012).
aopopera.org

American Opera Projects (AOP)
Interim General Director: Charles Jarden
General Manager: Joel Kalow
Administrative Assistant: Ziyan Yang
Accounting Consultant: Naomi Ramirez
CPA: Mary Sormeley

AOP Board of Directors: Sarah Moulton Faux & Mark Kalow, co-presidents; Anthony Roth Costanzo, J. David Jackson, Charles Jarden, W. Wilson Jones, Cassondra Joseph, Christina Bott Murphy, Norman Ryan

The Climate Opera Project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts and New York University’s Office of Sustainability. AOP’s programs are 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 and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

AOP’s programs are made possible in part by the Howard Gilman Foundation, The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc., The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Amphion Foundation, BMI, and the contributions of many individuals.

UPCOMING Performances

      RUNNING TIME

      90min

      VENUE

      BAM Fisher
      Fishman Space

      TICKET INFORMATION

      Tickets are $25 at the Box Office
      Student discounts available

      As a special event, BAM house, ticketing, and membership policies may not apply.
      All performances will adhere to protocols developed in accordance with New York State regulations and in consultation with medical professionals for the safety of our artists, audiences, and staff.

      RELATED EVENTS

      Additional performances commemorating Earth Day 2024 will be held at NYU’s John A. Paulson Center Theatre C on April 27 and April 28.

      SUPPORT BAM