Although it wasn’t really a secret—opera-goers and supporters had known for a while—Marble City Opera has officially announced its next season of productions plus a number of add-on concerts for 2023-2024. Like in the past, that new season contains new operas and a world premiere, as well as a 20th Century work from a famous trilogy of operas. Season tickets and further information are available now.
The Christmas Spider
January 6, 2024, at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral
Inspired by a Ukrainian legend, The Christmas Spider is being developed by the American Opera Project and is the third operatic collaboration between composer Clint Borzoni and librettist John de los Santos. Marble City Opera performed their The Copper Queen last June. The creators have offered that their intention is to dramatize a new tale, complete with an original yuletide carol, that will become a musical part of the holiday canon.
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The Doctor and The Devils
June 6 & 8, 2024, at Old City Performing Arts Center
The Doctor and The Devils by Knoxville composer Jason Overall will be receiving its World Premiere performances. The work is based on a 1985 British gothic horror play by Dylan Thomas and the film of the same name. It follows the true story of Burke and Hare, who in 1828 Edinburgh, Scotland, murdered at least 16 people and sold their bodies for anatomical dissection.
“The opera explores the theme “do the ends justify the means” as Dr. Rock uses the bodies to discover life saving surgical procedures.”
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Il tabarro (The cloak)
June 20, 2024, on a barge docked on the Tennessee River
The first opera in Puccini’s Il trittico, Il tabarro takes quite a different turn than its trilogy companions, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. The story is set on a barge on the river Seine in Paris and practically defines the operatic theme of the doomed love triangle.
Following MCO’s interest in immersing its audience in the appropriate environmental flavor, Il tabarro will be staged on a barge moored on the Tennessee River.
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In addition, MCO will be offering a number of concert experiences during the season.
• Stalactites, Sopranos, and Stilettos – August 19, 2023
• Pop-Up Opera Party – February 24, 2024
• Tabarro Concert on the Knoxville Star – June 15, 2024
