Opera Philadelphia

Morrison/Cox

Oscar Oscar videoPlayWatch

Oscar

Music by Theodore Morrison
Libretto by John Cox and Theodore Morrison
Performed in English with English supertitles
Opera at the Academy

Poetic injustice

Legendarily flamboyant Oscar Wilde was the toast of the literary world—until a scandalous love affair with Lord Alfred Douglas ruined his reputation and devastated his private life. For one of history’s greatest wits, it was a dark counterpoint to a life earmarked by fearless humor and equally intrepid passion. In this beautifully tragic tale of self-expression and individual freedom, countertenor David Daniels electrifies with what The New York Times called a “Wildean mix of arrogance and vulnerability.” Philadelphia favorite William Burden and soprano Heidi Stober, in her company debut, costar as Oscar's loyal friends.

MapAcademy of Music

Dates are Feb 2015.

Fri, Feb 6 8:00 p.m.
Sun, Feb 8 2:30 p.m.
Wed, Feb 11 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Feb 13 8:00 p.m.
Sun, Feb 15 2:30 p.m.

Approx. 2 hrs 43 min.
Includes a 20 min intermission.

Production underwritten in part by the Wyncote Foundation.

East Coast Premiere | American Repertoire Program
Co-commission and co-production with The Santa Fe Opera

Cast & Creative Team

Bringing beauty to life

Evan Rogister
Evan Rogister *Conductor
Kevin Newbury
Kevin NewburyDirector
David Daniels
David Daniels *As Oscar Wilde
Heidi Stober
Heidi Stober *As Ada Leverson
William Burden
William BurdenAs Frank Harris
Dwayne Croft
Dwayne Croft *As Walt Whitman
Reed Luplau
Reed Luplau *As Lord Alfred Douglas ("Bosie")
Joseph Gaines
Joseph GainesAs Inspector Littlechild & First Prison Warder
Benjamin Sieverding
Benjamin Sieverding *As Inspector Kearley & Second Prison Warder
Wayne Tigges
Wayne TiggesAs Justice Sir Alfred Wills & Col. Isaacson
Ricardo Rivera
Ricardo Rivera *As Thomas Martin & Hotel Managers
Roy Hage
Roy Hage *As Prison Chaplain
Jarrett Ott
Jarrett Ott *As Prison Infirmary Patient #1
Thomas Shivone
Thomas ShivoneAs Prison Infirmary Patient #2
Toffer Mihalka
Toffer MihalkaAs Bailiff
  • James Daniel * Assistant Director
  • David Korins * Set Design
  • David C. Woolard * Costume Design
  • Rick Fisher * Lighting Design
  • Seán Curran * Choreographer
  • Elizabeth Braden Chorus Master
  • Chelsea Antrim Stage Manager
  • Becki Smith Assistant Stage Manager
  • Sara Prince Assistant Stage Manager
  • *Opera Philadelphia debut
Theodore Morrison

The Composer

Theodore Morrison

Theodore Morrison began composing at the age of forty-two, more than twenty years after he was well established as a conductor specializing in large works for chorus, soloists and orchestra, as well as music for chamber orchestra. Over the past three decades he has composed an epic choral symphony and a number of other large works for voices and orchestra. He has created a substantial body of shorter pieces including an overture for wind ensemble, chamber works for woodwinds and strings, a sonata and a set of variations for organ, several works for chorus and organ, three song cycles, and numerous smaller choral pieces and songs. His music has been performed throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and New Zealand.

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