Opera, Deconstructed
Rodin Museum
2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
This summer, Opera Philadelphia and the Rodin Museum join forces for three concerts at the Rodin Garden Bar. Each evening delves into a distinct musical element of opera, spotlighting the layers that bring the art form to life. It’s opera, deconstructed.
No registration required. The Rodin Garden Bar pop-up is open from 4:00-8:30 p.m.
Rodin Museum
| Fri, Jun 27 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Fri, Jul 25 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Fri, Aug 22 | 6:30 p.m. |
Performances are approximately 20 minutes long.
Friday, June 27
The Soloists
The dramatic talents of opera soloists take center stage in this inaugural performance. Two of Opera Philadelphia’s Emerging Artists, baritone Brandon Bell and tenor Fran Daniel Laucerica perform beautiful excerpts from the classical vocal canon. Hailed by Opera News as “a very promising high tenor,” Laucerica will make his Opera Philadelphia debut in September as Don Luigino in Rossini’s Il viaggio a Reims alongside Bell, called “a strong dramatic baritone” by Broadway World, in his company debut as Antonio.
Friday, July 25
The Chorus
Delight in the rich harmonies of the Opera Philadelphia Chorus under the baton of Choral Director Elizabeth Braden. Eight singers perform beloved opera choruses including “Happy, Happy Shall We Be” from Handel’s Semele, “Habanera” from Bizet’s Carmen, and “Libiamo” from Verdi’s La traviata. The program will also feature selections by American composer Morten Lauridsen, who sets Rainer Maria Rilke’s French “Rose” poems to music in Les Chanson des Roses. Rilke briefly served as Rodin’s secretary, and their relationship had a profound impact on the young writer’s work.
Friday, August 22
The Orchestra
The final performance spotlights the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra, with a string quartet led by violinist Luigi Mazzocchi performing music by composers Felix Mendelssohn, Franz Joseph Haydn, Claude Debussy, and others.
