Saxophone colossus Charlie Parker may finally get his operatic light. Opera Philadelphia has commissioned a "be-bopera" from Daniel Schnyder, and we are just too excited for that.
The righteous bird will make it to the stage channeled through tenor Lawrence Brownlee in the opera Yardbird. Soprano Angela Brown will perform as Charlie's mother, Addie.
"When Daniel listened to Lawrence Brownlee, he immediately likened the color of his voice, the virtuosity of his singing, and his technical command to that of Charlie Parker. Thus, the idea for the opera was born," says conductor Corrado Rovaris, who met Schnyder in 2011.
The title is supposed to premiere in June 2015 during the "Aurora Series for Chamber Opera" at the Perelman Theater, capping Opera Philadelphia's 40th anniversary season.
Charlie Parker died on March 12, 1955--immortalized through his free spirit and unparalleled talent. A highly influential player who invented be-bop, the play will be based on Parker's last moments, where his imagination went in those small bits of time.
So, if you're as excited as we are, keep an ear out for the opera as time draws closer.
As one of the greats, here is Parker's "Ornithology" live from the Savoy.
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