Sound Designer

Opera Philadelphia proudly presents the American premiere of "The Listeners," a thrilling new opera with music by Missy Mazzoli and libretto by Royce Vavrek. This captivating work, based on an original story by Jordan Tannahill, is performed in English with English supertitles and explores the seductive power of cults and charismatic leaders in a divided nation. The opera delves into the lengths Americans are willing to go to find a sense of place and purpose, and how confident, charming leaders can exploit these needs.

Set in a southwestern U.S. suburb, "The Listeners" follows a middle-class mother, soprano Nicole Heaston in her company debut, who notices a mysterious hum that only a select few can hear. As a community organization forms to investigate, meetings led by the de facto leader Kevin Burdette take on a cult-like atmosphere, leading to a potentially destructive path.

The opera is scheduled for performances at the Academy of Music on Wednesday, September 25 at 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 27 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, September 29 at 2:00 p.m. The runtime is approximately 2 hours and 23 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission.

"The Listeners" is a co-commission and co-production with Norwegian National Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago. This season's production is supported by the Artistry Now Matching Fund, Barbara Augusta Teichert, and major support from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, with additional support from OPERA America’s Opera Grants for Female Composers program.

The cast and creative team feature Corrado Rovaris as conductor, Lileana Blain-Cruz as director, and a talented ensemble including Troy Cook, Lindsey Reynolds, Kevin Burdette, Aaron Crouch, and many more, bringing this powerful story to life.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience this groundbreaking opera that examines the sound of a divided nation through the lens of an extraordinary musical and theatrical journey.

EPSG:4326

The Listeners

Academy of Music

One of the most unique and influential artists of our time, Meredith Monk is a composer, singer, director, choreographer, filmmaker, and creator that has devoted her life to exploring the potential of the human voice. A pioneer of extended vocal technique and interdisciplinary art, she weaves together new modes of perception to expand the boundaries of music, performance, and installation. This living legend returns to the Armory with her latest creation, an immersive work that is part performance, part installation, inspired by Indra’s Net, a parable that illustrates life’s interconnectedness.

Indra’s Net

Park Avenue Armory

An adaptation of Atom Egoyan’s film of the same name, Adoration follows Simon, an orphaned high school student. As part of a dramatic writing exercise, Simon’s teacher encourages him to appropriate details from a historical terrorist attack as an event perpetrated by his parents. When his story goes viral, Simon uses the hysteria within his community and on the internet to highlight the challenges of intolerance and racism in our society. The fictional and actual circumstances of the loss of Simon’s family are revealed in fragments, only fitting together with the final revelation that the prejudices of Simon’s maternal grandfather led to his parents’ deaths.

Daniel Neumann

Sound Designer

Events

Upcoming events

19 - 23 Feb, 2025

Adoration · Beth Morrison Projects

Past events

25 - 29 Sep, 2024

The Listeners · Opera Philadelphia

Sep 23 - Oct 1, 2024

Indra’s Net · Park Avenue Armory

About

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