Community Performances

The Falling and the Rising is an operatic story of service, sacrifice, and connection inside uncertainty. The opera was originally created from compiled interviews with deployed soldiers upon their return to Walter Reed National Medical Center, Arlington Cemetery, and Fort Meade. It serves as an ode to American soldiers, honoring the indomitable spirit of our military veterans and shining a light on the significance of their often untold stories.

In this parable based on the works of Oscar Wilde, a gilded statue of a beautiful Prince suddenly comes to life. The Prince, realizing the destitute state of the home he once ruled, enlists the help of an unassuming Swallow to deliver gifts to those in need. Observing the charity of the Prince and his new feathered friend, the townsfolk newly realize the importance of generosity and empathy. This colorful and heartwarming presentation of the Youth Opera Project is performed by youth ages 7–18.

Music by Laura Karpman; Libretto by Kelley Rourke. Commissioned by The Glimmerglass Festival, 2016.

Join us for public performances of our 2020 touring production, Earth to Kenzie. This new one-act opera charms with innovative and approachable tunes, while the memorable characters showcase the story’s themes of empathy and finding strength despite adversity. The fully staged and costumed opera is performed with professional singers and live piano accompaniment.