for high soprano, lyric soprano, mezzo-soprano, & baritone with violin, cello, & piano Libretto by John de los Santos Commissioned by White Snake Projects FP: Boston MA, Jan. 2026 Cast: Maggie Finnegan, soprano; Carina DiGianfilippo, soprano; Chihiro Asano, mezzo; Scott Ballantine, baritone Creatives: Tian Hui Ng, conductor; Cara Consilvio, stage director Duration: ca. 30’ Program Note Picture it: It’s the last Wednesday in August and the Spanish town of Buñol is bracing for its world-renowned annual fiesta. The Plaza del Pueblo is packed with locals and visitors from around the globe. Trucks arrive, releasing mountains of overripe tomatoes into the crowd in a blissful explosion of color and energy. Within minutes, the streets turn slick and red as strangers hurl tomatoes at anyone within reach — laughing, flirting, ducking, chasing, surrendering — until everyone’s soaked in pulp. Long before La Tomatina became an iconic rite of late-summer abandon, it came dangerously close to being erased. What began as a small-town prank in 1945 quickly grew in notoriety and popularity. Local authorities weren’t amused by the ensuing chaos and mess. Meanwhile, Franco’s regime was pressuring towns to suppress “unseemly” secular celebrations that didn’t promote a unified, Catholic, Spanish nationalist identity. In 1957, it all came to a head when the town council banned the festival. The people of Buñol responded with a protest funeral procession to mourn the loss of their beloved tomato day. This operatic outpouring of grief and rebellion is where Requiem Tomatina begins. In Memoriam Tomate, el pueblo no te olvida

for tenor, baritone, violin, cello, & piano Libretto by Joshua Brown Video available on YouTube (https://youtu.be/eaqXz9cDNko) Commissioned by Boston Opera Collaborative FP: Cambridge MA, Jan. 2023 Cast: Christopher Remkus, tenor; Mitch FitzDaniel, baritone Tian Hui Ng, conductor; Yukiko Oba, music director; Greg Smucker, stage director Duration: ca. 15’ Program Note: Two men drift together and apart. They dance through the breezy conversations of first meetings and struggle with the hard work of building a life together.

three songs for medium-high voice and piano 1. Summer. You. • poem by Danielle Legros Georges inspired by Die Rose, die Lilie, die Taube, die Sonne composed for baritone Junhan Choi 2. In the Absence of a Moonlit Sky • poem by Enzo Silon Surin inspired by Das ist ein Flöten und Geigen composed for baritone Avery Sujkowski 3. I Dream of You Under Midnight Skies • poem by Ashley-Rose Salomon inspired by Allnächtlich im Traume seh' ich dich composed for mezzo-soprano Jade Espina Poetry and music commissioned by Boston Opera Collaborative. Performances, alongside Schumann's Dichterliebe, are scheduled for the 2021-2022 season. Featuring the poetry of: María Luisa Arroyo, Charles Coe, Danielle Legros Georges, Madeline Lam, Mariona Lloreta, Karen Mandell, Ashley Rose, Enzo Silon Surin, Missy Whiteman, and Crystal Williams. Musical compositions by: Kitty Brazelton, Paul Frucht, Anthony R. Green, Lillie Rebecca McDonough, Jen Shyu, Iván Enrique Rodríguez, Tony Solitro, and Akshaya Avril Tucker

Poetry by Jeffery Beam [5’] Video Release: November 20, 2020 First Glimpse 2020 – The American Opera Project Justine Aronson, sop.; Kelly Horsted, pno. Watch & Listen on Vimeo(https://vimeo.com/482122909) Program Note: On his quest for the inexpressible, invisible ground of Being, poet Jeffery Beam often follows the guidance of animate things. But what if he were to ask something inanimate—a stone, for example—about the mysteries of existence? What could a stone know of intimacy, imagination, dreams, bravery, contradictions, self-realization, and celebration of Being? What wisdom might a stone reveal about our purpose on earth?

Libretto by Jonathan Douglass [5’] Video Release: November 20, 2020 First Glimpse 2020 – The American Opera Project Brandon Coleman, bass-bar.; Lisa Edwards, pno. Watch & Listen on Vimeo(https://vimeo.com/482122704) Program Note: The African sorcerer Zolomon was once sweet, but that was many centuries ago. People on the isle of Meleneia hated sweet things, so they banished him to the cliffside beyond the forest. Now he lives in exile, whispering and watching. His eyes shine like ice as his mouth sends rivers of hexes down on the villagers who rejected him. Renouncing sweet things, his fury twists into an unbreakable web that chokes life from the land. In this aria, Zolomon recalls the day he was burned by a mysterious star that fell from the sky and destroyed his forest. He was drawn, afraid and mesmerized, toward the flaming light. When Zolomon laid eyes on it, he experienced love for the first time in his life.

“Revolution Begins in the Bedroom” [4.5’] Victoria’s opening aria of Mrs. Satan and the Nasty Woman, an opera-in-progress by librettist Alice Eve Cohen (http://www.aliceevecohen.com/)and composer Tony Solitro, adapted from Cohen's play. Produced and recorded by The American Opera Project as part of their video tour, Working Women: Songs of Suffering and Suffrage,(https://www.aopopera.org/working-women) commemorating the women's suffrage centennial in the U.S. The video by filmmaker Lesley Steele features mezzo-soprano Eve Gigliotti with music director and pianist Mila Henry. Watch & Listen on Vimeo(https://vimeo.com/475612395) Program Note: November 4, 1872. It’s the day before the election. The Town Hall, NYC. Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for president, delivers an impassioned speech on free love and equal rights to a standing-room crowd of her supporters. She hears a hostile mob outside chanting “Lock her up!” Refusing to be silenced, Victoria is arrested and jailed for indecency. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Almost erased from the history books, Woodhull was a suffrage fighter, radical activist, stockbroker, clairvoyant, and free love advocate. Once hailed by Susan B. Anthony as “the new leader of our fight for Suffrage,” Woodhull fell out of favor with suffrage leaders when she had the audacity to run for president. She was jailed right before the 1872 election. Opera Premise: November 7, 2016. It’s the eve of another historic election. Hillary Clinton is having a hard time sleeping. Her mind is racing. Insomnia rules. She wakes up in Ludlow Street Jail circa 1872, sharing a cell with Victoria Woodhull. Will Hillary be radicalized by Victoria’s foresight and revolutionary politics? Based on Alice Eve Cohen’s play Mrs. Satan and the Nasty Woman, the opera examines two women's roles in the long path to a woman President. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined

Libretto by John de los Santos (https://johndelossantos.com/)[7’] Video: First Glimpse 2020 – The American Opera Project Jasmine Muhammad, sop.; Mila Henry, pno. Watch & Listen on Vimeo(https://vimeo.com/tonysolitro/purple-frog) Note: Miss Alden leads her first-graders through a lesson on identifying types of nouns. When the class-clown expresses his frustration, she realizes why he's been so disruptive. She ditches her lesson plan and takes an impromptu detour that enchants and inspires her students.

Meditations on the life of Alexandra David-Neel Poetry by Corinne Elysse Adams for Ensemble Scorrevole: Amber Evans, soprano; Dudley Raine IV, viola; Brian Daurelle, piano FP: Jul. 15 2017, Cortona Sessions for New Music, Tuscany, Italy

Poetry by Jeffery Beam [4.5’] First Performance: Dec. 2019, Brooklyn NY Mario Diaz-Moresco, bar.; Matthew Stephens, pno.

Libretto by Paisley Rekdal(https://www.paisleyrekdal.com/) for soprano, mezzo, tenor, baritone, clarinet/bass clarinet, violin, cello, and piano Commissioned by Utah Opera in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad. Read more about the commissioning project.(http://bit.ly/utah-spike150) FP: May 20–22, 2019 Omer Ben Seadia,(https://www.omerbenseadia.com/) director & dramaturg Carol Anderson, music director & conductor Cast: Grace Kahl, Melanie Ashkar, Addison Marlor, Louis Ong

Poetry by Jeffery Beam Dedicated to Jarrett Ott & Adam Franklin on the occasion of their marriage. FP: Jan 2020, Lafayette CA Ann Moss, sop.; Steven Bailey, pno. Recorded by Michelle Murray Fiertek, sop.; Michael Korman, pno. Album available through Albany Records(https://www.albanyrecords.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AR&Product_Code=TROY1809&Category_Code=a-NR) Duration: 3.5 minutes View the Score(http://bit.ly/astronomy-score) Listen on Spotify(https://bit.ly/loves-astronomy) https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined

for soprano, tenor, bass-baritone, dancer, small satb chorus, clarinet/bass clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, viola, and cello Libretto by Mark Harvey Levine Watch an excerpt on Vimeo(http://bit.ly/anxiety-p-vimeo) Commissioned by Boston Opera Collaborative FP: Cambridge MA, Oct. 26–28 2018 Cast: Celeste Godin; Ethan DePuy; Andrew Miller Daniel Ryan, conductor; Katie Barr, music director; Greg Smucker, stage director Duration: 15 minutes Program Note: Robert here—and I'm prepared for danger! Yes, I've planned for every likely scenario that could possibly kill me ... come to think of it, I've also planned for many unlikely hazards, too (can never be too careful—y'know what I'm sayin?) ... but how many times will I die before I finally decide to live? (Deep, CLEANSING breaths, Robert!) I might have a nervous breakdown just thinking about it.

Commissioned by Justin Vickers, ten. Ancient texts by Chinese poets, translated by Arthur Waley. Version A: tenor and guitar Version B: tenor and piano Duration: 13 minutes FP: TBA, with Justin Vickers, ten. and Thomas Schuttenhelm, gtr.

for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet, percussion, piano, 2 violins, viola, and cello Based on a play by Jane Martin Commissioned by Boston Opera Collaborative FP: Nov. 2017, Cambridge MA Presented in partnership with Boston New Music Initiative Tian Hui Ng, conductor; Brendon Shapiro, music director; Greg Smucker, stage director Cast: Celeste Godin; Sirgourney Tanner; Fran Rogers Duration: 15 minutes Watch Highlights on Vimeo(http://bit.ly/triangle-excerpts) Watch Complete Performance on Vimeo(http://bit.ly/triangle-vimeo) Program Note: Love triangles are never easy, but Joyce isn’t concerned. She knows exactly how to handle the situation. When she learns the “other woman” is a goddess, she begins to unravel. How can she compete with that?

Meditations on the life of Alexandra David-Neel Poetry by Corinne Elysse Adams for Ensemble Scorrevole: Amber Evans, soprano; Dudley Raine IV, viola; Brian Daurelle, piano FP: Jul. 2017, Cortona Sessions for New Music, Tuscany, Italy Duration: 10 minutes Listen to excerpts on SoundCloud(http://bit.ly/nmid-excerpts) Version A: voice, viola, and piano Version B: voice, violin, and piano *** All versions include ossia passages for soprano or mezzo. Soprano Range: B-flat 3 – C6 Mezzo Range: G-flat 3 – A5 Program Note: Alexandra David-Neel (1868–1969) was a conservatory-trained soprano in her youth. She sang La Traviata, Lakmé, Carmen, and Thaïs. But the life of a socialite wasn't enough for her. She longed for something more. She searched for it—in India, China, and Tibet—and wrote books recording her adventures. She is best known for her daring journey to Lhasa over the Trans-Himalayas in midwinter 1924. She disguised herself as a beggar and her adopted son, Lama Yongden, accompanied her. David-Neel became the first European woman to reach Tibet’s forbidden capital. She remains the most accurate source on Buddhist practices of a nearly-vanished world.

for soprano, mezzo-soprano, and piano Based on a play by Jack Neary Commissioned by Boston Opera Collaborative Longy School of Music of Bard College FP: Nov. 2016, Cambridge MA Duration: 12 minutes Audio on SoundCloud(http://bit.ly/fabulousSC) Program Note: During intermission, two divas exchange critiques of the performance. Both had auditioned for the opera, but their dear friend (and greatest rival) landed the lead role. After a moment of polite hesitation, they unleash their uncensored opinions.

Poetry by Frank O'Hara Commissioned by tenor, Roy Hage Duration: 20 minutes Audio on SoundCloud(http://bit.ly/more-beautiful-excerpts) I. Liebeslied is a flirtatious romp that O'Hara described as one of his "few attempts to ever write a popular song." II. Lebnaan is translated into conversational Lebanese (rather than Modern Standard Arabic, typically used for poetry and literature) to reflect O'Hara's conversational style. There aren’t enough gay love songs in Arabic—Lebnaan is my contribution. III. Song: Is It Dirty? is an "homage to Gotham’s grit." IV. To You holds a special place in my heart. It is candlelight and shadows. Fragile and intimate. Cosmic and expansive. It is dedicated to my husband, Aaron.

an epic surrealist drinking song for women Commissioned by the Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia for performance during Consider the Belvedere Installation and Poetry by Julia Feyrer and Tamara Henderson FP: Apr–May 2015, Philadelphia, PA Lauren Eberwein s(https://laureneberwein.com/)ang atop a bar while a dream-stenographer typed on a vintage keyboard. Duration: 15 minutes *this work is not available for purchase or rental*

Libretto by Jason Lahman and Tony Solitro [2(II=picc.)2(II=corA)2(I=Ebcl,II=bcl)2+2sax/2220/timp.2perc.pno.sop/strings] Duration: 25 minutes Excerpts on Vimeo(http://bit.ly/UnclaspedVimeo)

Commissioned by Network for New Music & Annenberg Center for Performing Arts Poetry by Randall C. Couch and Lily Kass (based on E.T.A. Hoffmann) FP: Oct. 2012, Philadelphia, PA Brian M. Chu, bar.; Sarah J. Davis, sop.; Hirono Oka, vln.; Michal Schmidt, vcl.; Tony Solitro, cond. Duration: 15 minutes Audio on SoundCloud(http://bit.ly/solitroautomata)

​​​​​​Poetry by Wallace Stevens FP: Apr. 2012, Philadelphia, PA Jessica Lennick, sop.; Tim Ribchester, pno. Duration: 13 minutes Audio on YouTube(http://bit.ly/weeping-woman)

Poetry by Christina Rossetti FP: Nov. 2011, Philadelphia, PA Margot Rood, sop.; Thomas Schuttenhelm, gtr. Duration: 13 minutes Excerpts on YouTube(http://bit.ly/time-eternity)

Commissioned by Justin Vickers, tenor Poetry by Alun Lewis FP: Philly Fringe Festival, Sept. 2011, Philadelphia, PA Duration: 25 minutes Excerpts on Vimeo(http://bit.ly/WarWeddingVimeo)

for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, and women’s chorus, with flute/piccolo/alto flute, clarinet/bass clarinet, piano, percussion, violin/viola, and cello Commissioned by the American Composers Forum, Philadelphia Chapter Libretto by Karen Saillant FP: International Opera Theater, Nov. 2010, Philadelphia, PA Duration: 25 minutes

Poetry by Oscar Wilde FP: May 2009, Cambridge, MA Duration: 8 minutes *this work is not available for purchase or rental*

Libretto by Jason Lahman Dream Sequence IIfor coloratura soprano and mezzo-soprano, with flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, piano, violins, viola, cello, and double bass FP: Dec. 2007, Cambridge, MA Duration: 11 minutes Dream Sequence IIfor two sopranos and mezzo-soprano, with flute, clarinet, horn, harp, piano, percussion, violin, viola and cello FP: Aug. 2008, Brevard, NC Duration: 10 minutes

Poetry by William Blake FP: Jul. 2008, Brevard NC Duration: 9 minutes

Poetry by Dudley Randall FP: Mar. 2008, Cambridge MA Duration: 6 minutes