From July 6-10, the Cincinnati Opera continues its 2022 Summer Festival with two uplifting productions: the world premiere of Fierce (July 6, 9, 10 at SCPA’s Corbett Theatre), with music by William Menefield and libretto by Sheila Williams, and Gilbert and Sullivan’s hilarious The Pirates of Penzance (July 7, 8, 10 at the Cincinnati Music Hall).

FIERCE (world premiere)

Music by William Menefield
Libretto by Sheila Williams

Wednesday, July 6, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 9, 3:00 p.m.

Sunday July 10, 7:30 p.m.

SCPA’S Corbett Theater, 108 West Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Four teenage girls come together for a workshop on writing an effective college essay. The teacher asks, “Tell me who you are,” prompting each young woman to share her story. One mourns the loss of a special friend, while another hides behind her popularity. The third feels constrained by her parents’ expectations, and the last faces a troubled family life. Despite the chorus of trolls taunting them, the girls unite, embarking on a transformative journey of empowerment and self-confidence.

With authenticity and sensitivity, Northern Kentucky novelist Sheila Williams interviewed local teenage girls to inspire the story of opera, while Cincinnati native William Menefield used styles of jazz, modern, Afro-Cuban music. , R&B and classical in its energetic score. D. Lynn Meyers, artistic director and producer of Ensemble Theater Cincinnati, makes her operatic debut. Fierce is presented in partnership with three creative organizations that serve Cincinnati-area youth: WordPlay Cincy, Music Resource Center-Cincinnati and i.imagine.

Cast and Creative Team:
Rumer…Megan Graves
Nyomi…Victoria Ellington
Morgan…Alicia Russel Tagert
Vesta … Lauren McAllister
Mrs. Lee-Adler/Mary/Troll 4 … Wendy Hill
Troll 1 / John … Mr. Andrew Jones
Troll 2 / Jim … Antonio Cruz
Troll 3 / Jackie / Margaret … Indra Thomas

Composer … William Menefield
Librettist … Sheila Williams
Conductor … Joseph Young
Director … D. Lynn Meyers
Production Designer… Samantha Reno
Lighting Designer …Thomas C. Hase
Projection designer … Jessica Drayton
Wig and make-up designer … James Geier

With the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Tickets and information:
Tickets are $35. To order, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnationopera.org.

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE

Music by Arthur Sullivan
Libretto by WS Gilbert

Thursday, July 7, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 8, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 10, 3:00 p.m.

Music Room, 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Frédéric, an orphan apprenticed in a lively band of pirates, will soon celebrate his 21st birthday, when he is free to lead a life and a love of his own. The charming Mabel catches her eye and she is extremely smitten in return. But the shrewd Pirate King finds a loophole in Frederic’s contract, placing the young lovers’ future on rough seas. Will Frederic and Mabel head for happily ever after?

With vibrant sets and costumes, memorable tunes and quick laughs, Gilbert and Sullivan’s hilarious The Pirates of Penzance is a major, modern show perfect for the whole family.

Cast and Creative Team:
Major General Stanley … Patrick Carfizzi
The Pirate King… Zachary James
Frederic … David Walton
Mabel…Lauren Snouffer
Ruth…Amber Wagner
Police Sergeant … Samuel Smith
Samuel … Diamond Brand
Edith … Marlen Nahhas
Kate…Jasmine White
Isabelle … Christina Hazen

Conductor … David Agler
Director and choreographer … Seán Curran
Stage and costume designer…James Schuette
Lighting Designer …Thomas C. Hase
Wig and make-up designer … James Geier
Choirmaster … Henri Venanzi
Fight Director…Gina Cerimele-Mechley

With the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus

Tickets and information:
Tickets start at $35. To order, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnationopera.org.

Coming to the Cincinnati Opera 2022 Summer Festival

Beaver and Patience (world premiere)

By Gregory Spears and Tracy K. Smith
July 21, 23, 24, 28 and 30 at the SCPA Corbett Theater

Aida

By Giuseppe Verdi
July 22, 26, 29 & 31 at the Music Hall

Special concert event!
Morris and his friends

An evening of opera and gospel music hosted by world-renowned bass Morris Robinson
July 27 at the Music Hall

Visit cincinnationopera.org for more details.