Organization

Des Moines Metro Opera

Orchestra

Des Moines Metropolitan Opera Festival Orchestra

Stage director

Stage director (+1)

Shaun Patrick Tubbs

Conductor

Conductor (+2)

David Neely

Lighting designer

Bridget S Williams

Costume designer

Costume designer (+1)

Jacob Climer

Set designer

Set designer (+1)

Steven Kemp

Choreographer

Choreographer (+1)

Leah Tubbs

Dramaturge

Kate Pitt

Baritone (+4)

Justin Austin

Thomas McKeller

Tenor (+2)

William Burden

John Singer Sargent

Soprano

Mary Dunleavy

Isabella Stewart Gardner

Mezzo-soprano (+2)

Tesia Kwarteng

Ida Mae McDonald

Tenor

Alex McKissick

Nicola d'Inverno

Contralto (+1)

Kendra Faith Beasley

Florence McKeller

Mrs. Smithson

Baritone (+2)

Daniel Rich

Willie McDonald

Baritone (+1)

Shyheim Selvan Hinnant

Clarence

Master of Ceremonies

Singer

Isaiah Traylor

George

Antonio Domino

Walter

Bass-baritone (+1)

Robert Frazier

Jimmy O'Donnelly

Mr. Carhart

Hayden Smith

Mr. Sparhawk

Video

Video (+1)

David Murakami

Wigs designer

Makeup artist (+2)

Brittany Rappise

Makeup artist

Blank Performing Arts Center

Bass (+3)

Noah Mond

American Apollo gives voice to a pivotal figure in American art: Thomas Eugene McKeller, a Black hotel worker who served as a model and muse for famous portraitist John Singer Sargent. Themes of erasure, the white gaze and the nature of the relationship between the two men are explored in this powerful new work which makes its full-length world premiere in 2024.

Des Moines Metro Opera’s new production features baritone Justin Austin as Thomas Eugene McKeller, tenor William Burden making a company debut as John Singer Sargent, soprano Mary Dunleavy as Isabella Stewart Gardner, and DMMO Marshall and Judy Flapan Music Director and Principal Conductor David Neely leading the production alongside stage director Shaun Patrick Tubbs, who makes his company debut.

Photos