Organization

Set designer

Grant Preisser

Lighting designer

Tláloc López-Watermann

Soprano

NaGuanda Nobles

Cassandra

Tenor

Geoffrey Peterson

Augustus

Singer

Kyaunnee Richardson

Calpurnia

Emily Pulley

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Stage director

Dennis Whitehead Darling

Conductor

Everett McCorvey

Mezzo-soprano

Kimberly Hernandez

Mother Albirtha

Assistant Conductor

Chevalier Lovett

Costume designer

Kristie Chiyere Osi Shackelford

Opera Orlando

Others

Opera Orlando Youth Chorus

Orchestra

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

English

The Secret River

Orlando

United States

Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater

Public

Approved

Mother Albirtha and Calpurnia

Opera Orlando presents the world premiere of The Secret River - an opera for all audiences - based on the book by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Follow the journe...

The Secret River is Opera Orlando’s first commissioned new work based on the young adult book of the same name by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. A Pulitzer prize- winning author, Ms. Rawlings was well known for her novel, The Yearling, and several other writings that chronicled her experiences living in and around Central Florida. Her young adult book, The Secret River, was published posthumously in 1955 and subsequently awarded a Newbery Honor Book Award.

With a libretto by Pulitzer Prize and Grammy award-winner Mark Campbell and music by University of Central Florida Pegasus professor Stella Sung, The Secret River is set in Central Florida during the Great Depression and follows the journey of Calpurnia, a young, intelligent girl with a robust imagination as she searches for a secret river to help her family and small town. This story for all ages demonstrates the power of trusting one’s imagination and the goodness within us all. 

The production featured musicians from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and members of the Opera Orlando Youth Company under the baton of Everett McCorvey, founder and music director of the American Spiritual Ensemble. The piece was directed by Dennis Whitehead Darling featuring puppetry created and performed by Michelee Puppets.

The Secret River by Sung, From (2021/2021), Directed by Dennis Whitehead Darling,, Conductor Everett McCorvey, Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando, United States

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Ensemble

Programme, About & Synopsis

Reviews

Videos

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues