Performances & Events
World Premiere
The Christmas Spider
by Clint Borzoni & John de los Santos
December 15 & 17, 2023
Manship Theatre
On a bitterly cold Christmas Eve, a poor woodcutter and his two children have no gifts, barely enough to eat, and are in danger of losing their home to an impatient landlady. The surprise discovery of a large, but gentle arachnid leads to a seemingly miraculous turn of good fortune for the family, reinforcing the importance of love and togetherness.
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Inspired by a Ukrainian legend (which resulted in the placing of spider ornaments on Christmas trees for a lucky New Year), THE CHRISTMAS SPIDER is the third operatic collaboration between composer Clint Borzoni and librettist John de los Santos following When Adonis Calls and The Copper Queen. Their goal is to dramatize a new tale for all ages, complete with an original yuletide carol, that adds to the rich musical tapestry of the holiday canon.
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"The Christmas Spider was developed by The American Opera Project in their First Chance program."
Rossini's
The Barber of Seville
May 3 & 5, 2024
Manship Theatre
Figaro! Figaro! FIGARO! Based on a play called Le Barbier de Séville by French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais, this is the first of three plays about a character called Figaro. Silliness ensues through a tale of bribery, deception, disguise, and of course, true love when Figaro plays matchmaker for his former employer and assists Count Almaviva in winning the heart of Rosina and freeing her from her lecherous guardian, Dr Bartolo.
