January 20, 21, and 22, 2023
At the New Orleans Jazz Market
Friday, January 20, 2023
6:15 PM Pre-Opera Party
6:30 PM Nuts and Bolts Lecture
7:30 PM Performance
Join us for a Post-show talkback immediately following the performance.
Saturday, January 21, 2023
6:15 PM Pre-Opera Party
6:30 PM Nuts and Bolts Lecture
7:30 PM Performance
Join us for a Post-show talkback immediately following the performance.
Sunday, January 22, 2023
1:15 PM Pre-Opera Party
1:30 PM Nuts and Bolts Lecture
2:30 PM Performance
Join us for a Post-show talkback immediately following the performance.
The Ranney and Emel Songu Mize Chamber Opera Series
Charlie Parker’s Yardbird
Make no mistake – this IS opera!
The story starts immediately following the death of jazz great, Charlie Parker. “The whole opera is about the dream of Charlie Parker to bridge two worlds (of classical and jazz music)…” writes composer Daniel Schnyder. With the aid of his strong mother Addie, three of his four wives, and his partner in the bebop jazz revolution, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie struggles to calm his demons and write his final masterpiece.
Composer – DANIEL SCHNYDER
Librettist – BRIDGETTE A. WIMBERLY
Director – TOMÉ COUSIN
Conductor JORGE PARODI, The Jerry W. Zachary and Henry Bernstein Maestro Chair
THE LOUISIANA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Sung in English with projected English captions
Running Time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes (no intermission)
CAST:
Addie Parker – ANGELA BROWN
Charlie Parker – MARTIN BAKARI
Chan Parker – RACHEL LOONEY
Doris Parker – JULIANNA ESPINOSA
Rebecca Parker – KOURTNEY HOLMES
Dizzy Gillespie – SIDNEY OUTLAW
Nica – AMY PFRIMMER
Byrd – TRU VERRET-FLEMING
This production is supported by a grant from the New Orleans Theatre Association.
The New Orleans Opera Association’s debut of Charlie Parker’s Yardbird Conductor, Jorge Parodi, is underwritten by: Drs. Nicolas and Haydee Bazan in honor of Maestro Robert Lyall, Sarah Jane McMahon, and Ranney Mize.
The fun starts before the opera begins …
Meet us at the New Orleans Jazz Market! The bar opens and the music begins at 6:15 PM on Friday and Saturday and at 1:15 PM on Sunday.
… and continues after the final bow
Following the performance, join fellow audience members and artists from the production in a discussion reflecting on the performance. Hear from artists and members of the creative team about their own experiences, both preparing this particular opera production and more generally. Post-show talkbacks begin immediately following each performance.
New Orleans Opera Box Office:
Phone: (504) 529-3000
Email: boxoffice@neworleansopera.org
Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:30 PM