Nashville Opera celebrates its 40th Anniversary in 2020.21 with a unique mix of digital and live events. The season opens with the company’s first commission—ONE VOTE WON—an inspiring one-act opera by Nashville-based composer Dave Ragland and librettist Mary McCallum. ONE VOTE WON will have its streaming world premiere September 25-27, 2020. Brooke Leigh Davis and Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva, who both appeared in Nashville Opera’s THE CRADLE WILL ROCK 2019, will perform the roles of Diane Nash and Frankie Pierce respectively. Tamica Nicole Harris makes her company debut in in the role of Gloria, a young woman questioning the worth of her vote.
In October, OPERA JUKEBOX combines an engaging aria-auction with a spectacular online concert featuring surprise artists from around the country. Patrons will be invited to bid on the set list for this one-night-only event, which will take place on October 17, 2020.
April brings Nashville Opera back to TPAC’s Jackson Hall for John Hoomes’ edgy film-noir staging of Verdi’s classic RIGOLETTO. Making his Nashville Opera debut in the role of Duke Mantua is tenor Zach Borichevsky, one of the most exciting vocal talents to emerge on the international stage, with celebrated performances such as Rodolfo in LA BOHEME with Finnish National Opera, Romeo in ROMEO ET JULIETTE for Teatro Municipal de Santiago in Chile, and Alfredo in LA TRAVIATA for the Glyndebourne Festival. RIGOLETTO will feature the fruits of the partnership between Nashville Opera and Nashville Film Festival—the winning film entry of the Nashville Opera Noir filmfest will be showcased as a part of the production, with live orchestra accompaniment.
The Anniversary Season closes with John Hoomes’ creative reimagining of CINDERELLA. The effervescent music of Rossini will shine in a comedic production inspired by the wacky beach-party movies of the early 1960s. Mezzo soprano Emily Fons, who will appear in the title role, has been hailed by Opera News as one of opera’s rising stars and one of the best singing actresses of her generation, receiving a Grammy nomination for her work on Jennifer Higdon’s COLD MOUNTAIN.
Nashville Opera will be implementing social distancing and safety procedures for live productions taking place in the 2020.21 season. Season subscriptions will be available starting Monday, August 10. Single tickets to digital and live events will go on sale 6 weeks prior to each production. To learn more about Nashville Opera’s Anniversary Season, please visit nashvilleopera.org. Click here for more Opera coverage.