New York City Opera debuted its world-premiere production of the new opera Stonewall June 21. The piece, composed by Iain Bell and featuring a libretto by Mark Campbell (As One), runs through June 28 at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Set in 1969, the opera features a cross-section of characters—from an out lesbian to a drag queen to a trans woman celebrating the anniversary of her transition—who all convene at the titlular Greenwich Village bar as a rebellion paves the way for a movement.
Read what critics thought of the new opera below.
New York Classical Review (David Wright)
The New York Times (Joshua Barone)
The cast includes Andrew Bidlack, Lisa Chavez, Michael Corvino, Jessica Fishenfeld, Marc Heller, Brian James Myer, Jordan Weatherston Pitts, and Liz Bouk, who is the first trans singer to sing an operatic role specially created for a trans singer.
The production, directed by Leonard Foglia, features choreography by Richard Stafford, sets by Riccardo Hernandez, costumes by David C. Woolard, lighting by Ken Billington, and sound design by Daniel Erdberg and Ursula Kwong-Brown. Carolyn Kuan conducts.
