Who was Florence Price, beyond the music? Prolific American composer Florence Price made history as the first Black woman to have a symphony performed by a major U.S. orchestra. My Name is Florence was inspired by writings and correspondence unearthed in the backyard of her family home. Composed by B.E. Boykin to a libretto by Harrison David Rivers, the opera presents vignettes from Price’s life that bring into focus the impact of family, legacy, and the transformative power of a seat at the piano. With warmth and humor, My Name is Florence explores the complexities of identity, generational connection, and ultimately the power of music to transform. It is a celebration of Price’s enduring legacy in music and a reclamation of the space she occupies within the American musical canon.

Following its acclaimed world premiere at Minnesota Opera in January 2026, My Name is Florence returns for two special encore concert performances featuring the full original cast, MN Opera Orchestra, and MN Opera Chorus. Experience this beautiful and moving new work in the Ordway Concert Hall. The performances will be captured live and produced by Lexicon Classics.

EPSG:4326

My Name is Florence: Encore Concert

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

Baritone Octavio Moreno (Cruzar la Cara de la Luna) will perform a specially curated concert of songs by Carlos Guastavino and María Grever with Mario Antonio Marra (Head of Music, Director of Resident Artist Program) at the piano.

Argentine composer Carlos Guastavino wrote around 150 songs for voice and piano, each reflecting his love of popular musical idioms and folksong and dances. While he wrote instrumental music extensively, singers in particular were drawn to his melodic writing and the heart so readily accessible in his music.

Mexican composer María Grever wrote over 800 songs, many of which became popular in both Latin America and the United States, and many of which marry her love of American jazz with Mexico’s rich musical traditions. Her 1934 hit “Cuando vuelva a tu lado” (later transliterated to “What a difference a day makes”) enshrined her artistic legacy and her compositions have been performed by vocal legends ranging from Enrico Caruso and Frank Sinatra to Aretha Franklin and Gloria Estefan.

Mario Antonio Marra

Events

Upcoming events

8 - 9 Jan, 2027

My Name is Florence: Encore Concert · Minnesota Opera

Mar 27, 2027

Canciones argentinas y mexicanas: Octavio Moreno sings Guastavino & Grever · Minnesota Opera

Future and recently performed repertoire

Conductor in My Name Is Florence by Boykin

Minnesota Opera

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