Stage Director

Opera Philadelphia proudly presents the company premiere of "The Anonymous Lover," a captivating romantic comedy that stands as a testament to the genius of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. This groundbreaking 18th-century composer, often overlooked due to his race, was a contemporary of Mozart and Haydn and shines through his only surviving opera. The music, composed by Joseph Bologne with a libretto by François-Georges Fouques Deshayes, Desfontaines, based on the play "L’amant anonyme" by Stéphanie Félicité, Madame de Genlis, and adapted by Kirsten Greenidge, will be performed in French with English supertitles, offering audiences a unique and immersive experience.

Set against the backdrop of a frothy romp filled with beautiful arias and charming music, "The Anonymous Lover" tells the story of the young widow Léontine, portrayed by soprano Symone Harcum, who receives a series of passionate letters from a secret admirer. As she grapples with the possibility of new love, it becomes clear that her friend Valcour, played by tenor Khanyiso Gwenxane, is the mysterious author. This opera invites audiences to root for true love in a tale that is both ahead of its time and timeless.

The production is co-produced with Boston Lyric Opera and features a talented cast including Johnathan McCullough as Ophémon, Ashley Marie Robillard as Jeanette, Joshua Blue as Colin, and Sun-Ly Pierce as Dorothée. The creative team is led by conductor Kalena Bovell and director Dennis Whitehead Darling, with scenic coordination by Baron E. Pugh, costumes by Leslie Travers, and lighting by Driscoll Otto. Elizabeth Braden serves as the chorus master, marking her Opera Philadelphia debut.

"The Anonymous Lover" will grace the stage of the Academy of Music with performances scheduled for January 31 at 8:00 p.m. and February 2 at 2:00 p.m., during the Jan - Feb 2025 season. The opera runs for approximately 90 minutes with no intermission, promising an evening of uninterrupted enchantment.

This production is part of Opera Philadelphia’s 2024-2025 Season, supported by the Artistry Now Matching Fund and Barbara Augusta Teichert, with additional support from Judy and Peter Leone for Academy of Music productions. Don't miss the opportunity to discover the work of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, and experience a romantic comedy that will leave you inspired and uplifted.

EPSG:4326

The Anonymous Lover

Academy of Music

Join us for an unforgettable evening as Opera Memphis presents Giacomo Puccini's timeless classic, "La bohème." This brand-new production captures the essence of youth, love, and freedom, set against the backdrop of an era when musical legends WC Handy and William Grant Still graced Beale Street. Experience the passion and vibrancy of this beloved opera, which has inspired countless artists and productions, including "Rent" and "Moulin Rouge."

**Event Details:**

- **Dates:** Friday, May 17, 2024, and Saturday, May 18, 2024
- **Time:** 7:30 pm on both nights
- **Venue:** Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center, 3800 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38117
- **Language:** Italian with English Surtitles

**Featuring:**
- **Conductor:** Jeri Lynne Johnson
- **Director:** Dennis Whitehead Darling
- **Dramaturg:** Ned Canty
- **Cast:** Chauncey Packer as Rodolfo, Marquita Richardson as Mimi, Reginald Smith, Jr. as Marcello, Kayla Oderah as Musetta, and more talented artists.

This production not only showcases the most popular work in Opera Memphis's history but also brings together a cast and artistic team of remarkable talent and diversity. Jeri Lynne Johnson, the first Black woman to win the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship, leads the production with her masterful conducting. The cast includes award-winning artists such as Chauncey Packer, known for his performances at the Metropolitan Opera, and Marquita Richardson, a rising soprano with a passion for storytelling through music.

Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this new chapter in Opera Memphis's history. Buy your tickets now and plan your evening at the opera with pre-show talks that will enhance your experience. This is more than just a performance; it's an inspiration, a celebration of art, and a testament to the enduring power of Puccini's work.

For tickets and more information, visit our website. Let "La bohème" inspire you as it has inspired generations of artists and audiences around the world.

La bohème

University of Memphis

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a comic love story for the ages! Written in 1780 by the virtuoso Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the chamber opera The Anonymous Lover tells the story of Léontine, a wealthy young widow disenchanted with the notion of love, who starts receiving letters from an anonymous admirer. In this joyful new co-production by Boston Lyric Opera and Opera Philadelphia, Bologne’s stirring music is complemented by a fresh book adaptation from the pen of Obie Award-winning Boston playwright Kirsten Greenidge, mixing English dialogue with the original French singing. Don’t miss an evening of lighthearted mishaps, heartfelt melodies, and endearing characters that will inspire you to root for true love! 

The Huntington Theatre

A romantic comedy ahead of its time, The Anonymous Lover centers on young widow Léontine. When she begins to receive a series of passionate letters from a secret admirer, she wrestles with whether she can love again, especially when it becomes apparent her friend Valcour is the unsigned author. Will love win?

Featuring beautiful sets, costumes, and music and libretto by Leoš Janáček, this folktale follows the adventures of an irrepressible young fox who outwits her human captors to rebuild her life with her forest friends. Her free, unapologetic self-knowledge starkly contrasts the hypocrisies of the human world she escapes. Sung in English, with English supertitles.

WATCH! MSM Graduate Opera Theatre: The Cunning Little Vixen

Manhattan School of Music

The Falling and the Rising is an operatic story of service and sacrifice, which traces the inner journey of a soldier who enters a coma after she suffers a roadside attack. As the soldier moves through her unconscious dreamscape, the audience will serve as both companion and witness, sharing powerful encounters with fellow service members along the way.

The Falling and the Rising

Herberger Theater Center

Temple of Music and Art

The Anonymous Lover (1780), known in French as L’Amant Anonyme, this charming two-act romantic comedy chamber opera by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges is adapted from a comedic play by Stéphanie Félicité de Genlis (Madame de Genlis). It centers on Léontine, a wealthy widow who begins receiving ardent letters and gifts from a secret admirer. Unbeknownst to her, the devoted suitor is actually her close friend Valcour, who conceals his identity out of fear of rejection. Through spirited misunderstandings and heartfelt revelations, Léontine learns the truth, culminating in a joyful resolution that celebrates the power of genuine devotion and trust. Will love win? Joseph Bologne’s stirring music is complemented by a fresh book adaptation from the pen of Obie Award-winning Boston playwright Kirsten Greenidge, mixing English dialogue with the original French singing. The third of Bologne’s six operas, The Anonymous Lover was his most successful opera, and the only one that has survived to this day. The work holds a significant place in the annals of music history, standing as one of the first known operas composed by a Black artist.

Stage Director

Dennis Whitehead Darling

Events

Upcoming events

13 - 15 Feb, 2026

The Anonymous Lover · Opera Columbus

Past events

Jan 31 - Feb 2, 2025

The Anonymous Lover · Opera Philadelphia

17 - 18 May, 2024

La bohème · Opera Memphis

About

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