The Second Sight - a new opera - LIVE PREMIERE

695 Elmwood Avenue,Buffalo NY 14222

26 June, 2021

Description

Sotto Voce Vocal Collective - in cooperation with Nickel City Opera - presents the premiere of Jessie Downs's new opera The Second Sight. The Second Sight is an opera in three acts that both draws upon the bel canto tradition and explores new possibilities for dramatic vocal writing. The story centers around a young woman named Diskana who has a clairvoyant ability called "second sight." After Diskana foresees the death of a young child (Sashatya), and feels the pain of the child's grieving mother (Freyaria), she vows to defy fate and attempt to intervene to prevent the child's death. Supernatural forces ultimately weave together the lives of mystic, mother, and child in unexpected ways. The opera is directed by Valerian Ruminski (bass, director of Nickel City Opera) and Samantha Morrow, and is conducted by Matthew Chamberlain. The production stars internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Ola Rafalo as Diskana, with UB director of choirs - soprano Claudia Brown - as Freyaria, and members of the Sotto Voce Vocal Collective (Beth White, Stephen Walley, Julia Anne Cordani, Suzanne Fatta, Brandon Mecklenburg) as meddling Spirits. The production will adhere to state mandates regarding COVID-19, which may limit seating. Tickets will be honored on a first-come first-serve basis. In the event that a live performance is not possible, the opera will be recorded and streamed, with tickets counting towards admission to the stream. If you know you are unable to attend the event live, you can purchase tickets to the stream HERE.