Conductor

MN Opera Head of Music Mario Antonio Marra will curate a program of songs presented by the Minnesota Opera Resident Artists.

EPSG:4326

Mario Antonio Marra Recital

Luminary Arts Center

David Leigh (bass) and MN Opera Head of Music Mario Antonio Marra will perform an evening of songs in recital at the Luminary Arts Center. Program to include music by Glinka, Rachmaninoff, Ives, and Shostakovich.

An Evening of Russian and American Songs

Presented by OPERA San Antonio (OSA) and Classical Music Institute (CMI), Voices of Beauty is more than just a concert, it's a heartfelt tribute to the rich cultural history of the West Side community. The concert features baritone Efraín Solís, soprano Elizabeth Sutphen, and pianist Mario Marra, who will perform along with musicians from the Classical Music Institute. The hour-long performance will be a guided exploration of the ties between operatic arias, Spanish folk song favorites, and major classical works like Vivaldi’s Winter set against the stunning backdrop of Little Flower Basilica. The evening promises to reignite a passion for the arts and celebrate the enduring legacy of opera and classical music in this iconic venue.

Voices of Beauty: Celebrating Opera and Classical Music

Little Flower Basilica

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. In this world premiere from MN Opera’s New Works Initiative, My Name is Florence was inspired by writings and correspondence unearthed in the backyard of her family home. This chamber opera composed by B.E. Boykin to a libretto by Harrison David Rivers presents vignettes from Price’s life that bring into focus the impact of family, legacy, and the transformative power of a seat in front of 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.

Conductor

Mario Antonio Marra

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 31 - Feb 8, 2026

My Name is Florence · Minnesota Opera

Past events

Mar 8, 2025

Mario Antonio Marra Recital · Minnesota Opera

Dec 18, 2024

An Evening of Russian and American Songs · Minnesota Opera

About

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