Past Performances

Singa

Jorge Sosa, Composer
Cerise Lim Jacobs, Creator and Librettist

An immigrant story

Two children, worlds apart—one flies, one walks—to America.
Two girls, divergent lives—one green card, one undocumented—in America.
Two women—different struggles, disparate hopes—for America.
Two friends, shared dreams, one journey—through America.

Singa

Jorge Sosa, Composer
Cerise Lim Jacobs, Creator and Librettist

An immigrant story

Two children, worlds apart—one flies, one walks—to America.
Two girls, divergent lives—one green card, one undocumented—in America.
Two women—different struggles, disparate hopes—for America.
Two friends, shared dreams, one journey—through America.

Singa

Jorge Sosa, Composer
Cerise Lim Jacobs, Creator and Librettist

An immigrant story

Two children, worlds apart—one flies, one walks—to America.
Two girls, divergent lives—one green card, one undocumented—in America.
Two women—different struggles, disparate hopes—for America.
Two friends, shared dreams, one journey—through America.

Co-producer and soloist

Join Portland Opera for a unique musical program, featuring guest artists and members of the Madama Butterfly company. The selections will explore influence and musical cross-pollination between the East and the West. The evening will include an aria from An American Dream (music by Jack Perla and libretto by Jessica Murphy Moo), a contemporary chamber opera that reflects on the experiences of WWII-era Japanese Americans who were persecuted and interned by the United States government.

Opera in two acts
Libretto by Myfanwy Piper, based on Thomas Mann’s „Tod in Venedig“
World premiere: 16th June 1973 in Aldeburgh

Benjamin Britten’s last opera was also his most personal. The work is extraordinary not simply for the autobiographical threads that are reflected in Thomas Mann’s aging writer Gustav von Aschenbach; the circumstances surrounding the creation of the work are also inextricably linked to the themes explored. Looking to thwart what he saw as his impending death, Britten took refuge in composition, citing his need to finish the work as a pretext for putting off an urgent heart operation.

Opera in two acts
Libretto by Myfanwy Piper, based on Thomas Mann’s „Tod in Venedig“
World premiere: 16th June 1973 in Aldeburgh

Benjamin Britten’s last opera was also his most personal. The work is extraordinary not simply for the autobiographical threads that are reflected in Thomas Mann’s aging writer Gustav von Aschenbach; the circumstances surrounding the creation of the work are also inextricably linked to the themes explored. Looking to thwart what he saw as his impending death, Britten took refuge in composition, citing his need to finish the work as a pretext for putting off an urgent heart operation.

Opera in two acts
Libretto by Myfanwy Piper, based on Thomas Mann’s „Tod in Venedig“
World premiere: 16th June 1973 in Aldeburgh

Benjamin Britten’s last opera was also his most personal. The work is extraordinary not simply for the autobiographical threads that are reflected in Thomas Mann’s aging writer Gustav von Aschenbach; the circumstances surrounding the creation of the work are also inextricably linked to the themes explored. Looking to thwart what he saw as his impending death, Britten took refuge in composition, citing his need to finish the work as a pretext for putting off an urgent heart operation.

Songs without Borders is a song recital featuring works by and about immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers in our country. This concert is in collaboration with the Immigrant Solidarity Committee of the First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn, NY. Proceeds will be split with the Immigrant Solidarity Committee.

Helen Huang, soprano
Pauline Tan, mezzo-soprano
Luis Orozco, baritone
Michael Lewis, piano

Works by Reinaldo Moya, María Grever, Tania León, Huang Tzu, Ruth Seeger and more First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn

Songs without Borders is a song recital featuring works by and about immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers in our country.

Helen Huang, soprano
Pauline Tan, mezzo-soprano
Luis Orozco, baritone
Michael Lewis, piano

Works by Reinaldo Moya, María Grever, Tania León, Huang Tzu, Ruth Seeger and more First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn

Flora

Hired by a mysterious guardian, a young governess travels to an isolated English estate to care for two orphaned children. Once she arrives, she slowly begins to feel that things may not be what they appear. Is there something sinister afoot? Could it be the supernatural? Or is it simply the product of her overactive imagination? Britten’s seductive, luminous score builds delicious tension to create one of opera’s greatest ghost stories.

Music by Benjamin Britten
Based on the novella by Henry James

Directed by John Hoomes

Flora

Hired by a mysterious guardian, a young governess travels to an isolated English estate to care for two orphaned children. Once she arrives, she slowly begins to feel that things may not be what they appear. Is there something sinister afoot? Could it be the supernatural? Or is it simply the product of her overactive imagination? Britten’s seductive, luminous score builds delicious tension to create one of opera’s greatest ghost stories.

Music by Benjamin Britten
Based on the novella by Henry James

Directed by John Hoomes

Flora

Hired by a mysterious guardian, a young governess travels to an isolated English estate to care for two orphaned children. Once she arrives, she slowly begins to feel that things may not be what they appear. Is there something sinister afoot? Could it be the supernatural? Or is it simply the product of her overactive imagination? Britten’s seductive, luminous score builds delicious tension to create one of opera’s greatest ghost stories.

Music by Benjamin Britten
Based on the novella by Henry James

Directed by John Hoomes

Countess/Page (cover, Gilda)

Rigoletto the jester, despised by all save his beautiful daughter, is powerless to protect her from the lechery of the Duke he serves. Verdi’s lush (and famous!) melodies blend with dark intrigue in this tale of a father’s vengeance. From the elegant world of courtiers to a dangerous riverfront inn, Rigoletto soon discovers that revenge can be a double-edged sword.

Music by Giuseppe Verdi

Directed by John Hoomes

Countess/Page (cover, Gilda)

Rigoletto the jester, despised by all save his beautiful daughter, is powerless to protect her from the lechery of the Duke he serves. Verdi’s lush (and famous!) melodies blend with dark intrigue in this tale of a father’s vengeance. From the elegant world of courtiers to a dangerous riverfront inn, Rigoletto soon discovers that revenge can be a double-edged sword.

Music by Giuseppe Verdi

Directed by John Hoomes

Henrietta Wong

Music by Stewart Wallace
Libretto by Michael Korie

Twenty-five years after its world premiere, Harvey Milk returns to San Francisco.  Hailed as “The best new American opera in many years,” the 1995 premiere was barely sixteen years after the murders. The opera was seen as “ripped from the headlines”, though that was never the intent.  For this new production, Stewart Wallace & Michael Korie have radically reimagined the score with an emphasis on its mythic elements as a celebration of Harvey Milk’s life.  Appropriately, this premiere coincides with Harvey Milk’s 90th Birthday and is proudly part of a city-wide celebration.

As the centerpiece of its 10th Anniversary season, Opera Parallèle is proud to revive this modern classic.  This new Harvey Milk is streamlined.  It’s taut and visceral.  Michael Korie’s libretto now unfolds in two very direct, swift-moving acts, capturing the whirlwind energy of Harvey Milk as he transforms himself from Wall Street stockbroker to the leader of one of the most influential civil right movements of the 20th century.

This truly San Francisco story is a timely and potent call to action as it evokes the power of Milk’s activism and challenges us to come out for justice.

Henrietta Wong

Music by Stewart Wallace
Libretto by Michael Korie

Twenty-five years after its world premiere, Harvey Milk returns to San Francisco.  Hailed as “The best new American opera in many years,” the 1995 premiere was barely sixteen years after the murders. The opera was seen as “ripped from the headlines”, though that was never the intent.  For this new production, Stewart Wallace & Michael Korie have radically reimagined the score with an emphasis on its mythic elements as a celebration of Harvey Milk’s life.  Appropriately, this premiere coincides with Harvey Milk’s 90th Birthday and is proudly part of a city-wide celebration.

As the centerpiece of its 10th Anniversary season, Opera Parallèle is proud to revive this modern classic.  This new Harvey Milk is streamlined.  It’s taut and visceral.  Michael Korie’s libretto now unfolds in two very direct, swift-moving acts, capturing the whirlwind energy of Harvey Milk as he transforms himself from Wall Street stockbroker to the leader of one of the most influential civil right movements of the 20th century.

This truly San Francisco story is a timely and potent call to action as it evokes the power of Milk’s activism and challenges us to come out for justice.

Henrietta Wong

Music by Stewart Wallace
Libretto by Michael Korie

Twenty-five years after its world premiere, Harvey Milk returns to San Francisco.  Hailed as “The best new American opera in many years,” the 1995 premiere was barely sixteen years after the murders. The opera was seen as “ripped from the headlines”, though that was never the intent.  For this new production, Stewart Wallace & Michael Korie have radically reimagined the score with an emphasis on its mythic elements as a celebration of Harvey Milk’s life.  Appropriately, this premiere coincides with Harvey Milk’s 90th Birthday and is proudly part of a city-wide celebration.

As the centerpiece of its 10th Anniversary season, Opera Parallèle is proud to revive this modern classic.  This new Harvey Milk is streamlined.  It’s taut and visceral.  Michael Korie’s libretto now unfolds in two very direct, swift-moving acts, capturing the whirlwind energy of Harvey Milk as he transforms himself from Wall Street stockbroker to the leader of one of the most influential civil right movements of the 20th century.

This truly San Francisco story is a timely and potent call to action as it evokes the power of Milk’s activism and challenges us to come out for justice.

Helen was to appear as Almirena in Handel’s Rinaldo as well as in the chorus of Wagner’s Die Feen. 

A message from the Glimmerglass Festival:

We are very excited to welcome this extremely talented roster of artists into the fold. While the COVID-19 pandemic will not permit them to perform their anticipated roles or positions during the 2020 Festival, we still look forward to working with these artists throughout the summer in new and creative ways. 

Helen is to appear as La Ciesca in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and The Queen (Cover) in Mackey’s Moon Tea.

Helen is to appear as Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Guadalena in Offenbach’s Songbird.

Pamina

Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a whimsical tale of love and wisdom with an original libretto from Emanuel Schikaneder, is directed by NJ Agwuna and conducted by Music Director Joseph Colaneri with costume design by Christelle Matou.

Pamina

Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a whimsical tale of love and wisdom with an original libretto from Emanuel Schikaneder, is directed by NJ Agwuna and conducted by Music Director Joseph Colaneri with costume design by Christelle Matou.

Pamina

Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a whimsical tale of love and wisdom with an original libretto from Emanuel Schikaneder, is directed by NJ Agwuna and conducted by Music Director Joseph Colaneri with costume design by Christelle Matou.

Guadalena

The Glimmerglass Festival presents a new adaptation of Offenbach’s La Périchole created by Eric Sean Fogel, James Lowe and Kelley Rourke, which moves the comedy’s action to New Orleans with new musical arrangement and orchestration by James Lowe in the style of 1920s jazz bands. The original libretto is by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy.

Pamina

Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a whimsical tale of love and wisdom with an original libretto from Emanuel Schikaneder, is directed by NJ Agwuna and conducted by Music Director Joseph Colaneri with costume design by Christelle Matou.

Guadalena

The Glimmerglass Festival presents a new adaptation of Offenbach’s La Périchole created by Eric Sean Fogel, James Lowe and Kelley Rourke, which moves the comedy’s action to New Orleans with new musical arrangement and orchestration by James Lowe in the style of 1920s jazz bands. The original libretto is by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy.

Pamina

Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a whimsical tale of love and wisdom with an original libretto from Emanuel Schikaneder, is directed by NJ Agwuna and conducted by Music Director Joseph Colaneri with costume design by Christelle Matou.

Guadalena

The Glimmerglass Festival presents a new adaptation of Offenbach’s La Périchole created by Eric Sean Fogel, James Lowe and Kelley Rourke, which moves the comedy’s action to New Orleans with new musical arrangement and orchestration by James Lowe in the style of 1920s jazz bands. The original libretto is by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy.

Pamina

Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a whimsical tale of love and wisdom with an original libretto from Emanuel Schikaneder, is directed by NJ Agwuna and conducted by Music Director Joseph Colaneri with costume design by Christelle Matou.

Guadalena

The Glimmerglass Festival presents a new adaptation of Offenbach’s La Périchole created by Eric Sean Fogel, James Lowe and Kelley Rourke, which moves the comedy’s action to New Orleans with new musical arrangement and orchestration by James Lowe in the style of 1920s jazz bands. The original libretto is by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy.

Pamina

Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a whimsical tale of love and wisdom with an original libretto from Emanuel Schikaneder, is directed by NJ Agwuna and conducted by Music Director Joseph Colaneri with costume design by Christelle Matou.

Pamina

Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a whimsical tale of love and wisdom with an original libretto from Emanuel Schikaneder, is directed by NJ Agwuna and conducted by Music Director Joseph Colaneri with costume design by Christelle Matou.