![]() ![]() Love, family, friends and the church are there when we need them. Exploring race, violence, and reconciliation, Blue places timely issues at the forefront of modern opera and invites audiences to the emotional epicenter of their impact. Gospel-influenced music and vivid flashbacks capture the grief of a family and community navigating the turbulent waters of loss at the hands of police. Lyric Opera presents the Chicago premiere of Tony Award®–winning composer Jeanine Tesori and NAACP Theatre Award–winning librettist Tazewell Thompson’s new opera inspired by contemporary events and Black literature, including Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me and James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time. As the baby grows into a young man, the mother worries for his future, and the father tries to prepare his son for the realities of 21st century America, while wrestling with his own identity as a police officer, a "Black man in blue." When their deepest fears come true, the family is forced to navigate a devastating reality seeking answers and support from their church and community. Thank you to the Seattle Opera and to the creatives involved with ‘Blue’ for paving a new trail in the future of the world of opera.An African American couple in Harlem anticipates the birth of their firstborn, a son, with both hope and fear. I want more contemporary operas telling the stories of more diverse populations in the future. “It was a pleasure to see ‘Blue’ on the McCaw Hall stage. Bravo to all involved with this production. I wish more people knew how truly exquisite this opera is. A life changing experience with soul and heart wrenching emotion. “I absolutely loved the opera, music, libretto, Director, singers and orchestra. “This was amazing!! Such a powerful piece of art and should be including in every opera house’s seasons! Thank you for bringing it to Seattle!” -Brenna W. ![]() Kenneth Kellogg and Joshua Stewart in Blue. “Mezzo-soprano Briana Hunter as The Mother, bass Kenneth Kellogg as The Father, and tenor Joshua Stewart as The Son all sang and acted superbly, as did the small group who portrayed their friends and community members.” - Seattle Gay News ![]() A story about how police violence rips and tears not just at Black families, but at Black communities, in an opera space is something special, perhaps even something radical to some opera attendees.” - Seattle Times “In a medium like opera where Black stories don’t grace the stage nearly enough, is necessary. Sets are refreshingly minimal, cast is 10, and the story is contemporary and universal. “Terrific opera, and everyone can relate to the characters, the heartbreak, and the humor. Often operatic tragedies border on farcical - this was visceral and real.” -Susan T. “Magnificent- the storytelling drew me in, great acting and the choral sequences brought me to tears. What was most awesome about it all was seeing the Black performers shine in all their roles.” - Traveling While Black in Seattleįrom left: Kenneth Kellog, Briana Hunter, and Joshua Stewart in Blue. The experience was not what we were expecting for the opera-totally the opposite. “Seattle Opera’s staging gives Blue's story exactly the presentation it demands: engrossing, challenging, and beautiful.” - NWTheatre Well deserved for a fabulous cast!” -Valerie S. Standing ovation from the second the curtain calls began until they closed. Plan to attend again to absorb the complexities. The cast is terrific, the music powerful and the libretto poetic.” -Heather via Instagram “Seattle Opera has produced a riveting production of the new opera ‘Blue.’ Everything comes together for this West Coast premiere to create a gripping, enlightening, and moving experience.” - OperaWire What an amazing show all around.” - Converge Media “Tazewell Thompson put his everything into this opera. #SEATTLE OPERA BLUE PLUS#Thompson (five NAACP Awards, plus two Emmy nominations) and composer Jeanine Music Critics Association of North America, created by librettist Tazewell Read some of the reviews for Seattle Opera’s current production of Blue, from critics and audiences alike.īlue is the 2020 winner of Best New Opera from the ![]()
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