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New Voices in Opera

Our newest initiative brings fresh operatic works to the Maryland Opera stage. The evening features a double bill of new works by composers with a connection to our performing community in the greater Baltimore area as well as a mini recital with students from local universities. A pre-show introduction to these stories and a post-show Q&A with members of the creative team. We are thrilled to work with these talented creators to bring something brand new to our stage.

PROGRAM

Oshun
An opera in one act
Music by B.E. Boykin
Libretto by Jarrod Lee
Originally commissioned by the Washington National Opera at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and first produced at the Kennedy Center during the 2022/2023 season

View the WJZ at 9 interview with Director of New Voices Jarrod Lee and General Director Jason Buckwalter from January 27.

Mini Recital

arr. Margaret Bonds

arr. Margaret Bonds

arr. Edward Boatner

Florence Price & Louise C. Wallace

Kurt Weill & Langston Hughes

William Grant Still

& Bruce Forsythe

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

Tamia Johnson

Lord I Just Can't Keep From Cryin'

Ada Satterfield

I Want Jesus to Walk with Me

Darius Jackson

Night

Laquavia Alston

Lonely House (Street Scene)

Henry Hubbard

Give Me No Body (Blue Steel)

Nazarene Maloney

INTERMISSION

Kandake
An opera in one act
Music by Timothy Amukele
Libretto by Jarrod Lee
Originally commissioned by Opera Theatre of St. Louis

Sung in English with English surtitles
There will be one 10-minute intermission
Running time is approximately 90 minutes

Oshun and Kandake are presented through special arrangement with Just a Theory Press and UIA Talent Agency.

*The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

February 28, 2026 | 7:00pm

Grace United Methodist Church
5407 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21210

Free parking is available in the church lot

Cast

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Christian Simmons

Olodumare/Kushite 2

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Taylor Boykins

Kandake Amanirenas

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Darius Sanders

Kushite 1

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Darius Jackson

Roman Centurion

Bass

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Tamia Johnson

Soprano

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Ada Satterfield

Soprano

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Anthony Ballard

Esu/Akinidad

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Sierra Leslie

Oracle 1

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Henry Hubbard

Roman Centurion

Tenor

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Laquavia Alston

Mezzo Soprano

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Anoa Green

Conductor

Join us at 6pm for a pre-show lecture with Yoruba Priestess Iyálorisà Olóyè Oyawunmi Awosade Ájàlá and librettist Jarrod Lee.
Stay afterwards for a post-show Q&A moderated by Executive Director of the Denyce Graves Foundation, Terry Eberhardt.


Entry to the lecture and Q&A is free with a ticket to the performance.

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Yalira Walker

Sharon Boddie

Sarah Cummings

Marcus Gee

Raymond Irving

Sarah Andrews

Amanda Dame

Luke Murphy

James Harp

ORCHESTRA

Violin 1

Violin 2

Viola

Cello

Bass

Oboe

Flute

Percussion

Keyboard

Jarrod Lee

Shawna Williams

Chloe McNeill

Alia Davis Brown

Aaron Sherber

Alyssa Stanton

PRODUCTION STAFF

Co-Director

Co-Director/Choreographer

Scenic & Projection Designer

Costume/Make-Up Designer

Stage Manager

Supertitle Operator

Oshun

Kandake

B.E. Boykin
Composer

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Jarrod Lee
Librettist

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Jarrod Lee
Librettist

SYNOPSIS

The great Olodumare created a drought that covered the land as punishment for his Orisha’s, his children’s, failed attempt to dethrone him. Olodumare’s drought causes humans to stop their praise which is the Orisha’s life source. Shango, the Orisha of thunder, questions if Olodumare’s drought is the cause for no praise and worries if the drought continues, he will cease to exist. Esu, the divine messenger and fellow Orisha, arrives with Olodumare’s command that no one shall enter Olodumare’s heaven called Orun, not even Shango. Insulted by this command, Shango takes his anger out on Esu. Oshun, the Orisha of fertility, love and the only Orisha who didn’t join the insurrection to dethrone Olodumare, decides her beauty will soften Olodumare’s heart. She transforms herself into a peacock and flies into Orun to beg for Olodumare’s forgiveness to end the drought which would cause humans to praise the Orishas again, therefore saving herself and her fellow Orishas. Disregarding Shango’s fear and warning of the sun’s capability to burn, Oshun flies too close and her wings are scourged. In her vulturous state, Oshun doubts her Father will recognize her and honor her plea to end the drought. To Oshun’s surprise, Olodumare recognizes, welcomes and affirms her presence. He shares the truth of beauty and reveals she has the power to bring the rain, therefore saving herself and her fellow Orishas. At Olodumare’s command, Esu and Shango kneel to offer praises to Oshun as she brings healing to the land as the Orisha of fertility, love, wealth, health and the rain.

SYNOPSIS

As the Kingdom of Kush thrives under the rule of King Teriteqas and Kandake Amanirenas (Queen Amanirenas), the Romans plan to increase their territory by attacking the Kingdom of Kush. Amanirenas fights alongside her husband, but Teriteqas suffers a fatal blow and succumbs to his wounds. Amanirenas’ mourning is interrupted by her son, Akinidad, who shares the news that Rome has overtaken Philae with plans to seize her throne and the riches of Kush. Should she lead an attack on the Roman occupied Philae while their troops are distracted by Arabia or should Kush pay taxes to keep their land? With the blessing of their ancestors, she leads a victorious battle and reclaims Philae. As a warning, she sends golden arrows to the Roman Emperor with a message to receive the arrows as gifts or use them as weapons should Rome decide to invade her Kingdom of Kush.

NURTURING COMMUNITY

As part of Maryland Opera's New Voice in Opera Initiative, several students from local universities will have opportunities to participate in highly enriching programs.  In addition to singing as members of the cast in Oshun and Kandake, students will perform as part of the mini-recital on February 28th, highlighting works by Black composers.  During the rehearsal process, they will take some time out for masterclasses to hone their skills.  

Master Class 1 - "Acting through Arias and Songs by Black Composers" with Jarrod Lee and composer Timothy Amukele

Master Class 2 - Mock Auditions with UIA Talent Agency's Shawn Marie Jeffrey

We excited to welcome these local performers for the master classes:

Nazarene Maloney, soprano - Morgan State University student

Laquavia Alston, mezzo - Morgan State University student

Henry Hubbard, tenor - local professional

Darius Jackson, bass - Morgan State University student

Tamia Johnson, soprano - Towson University student

Ada Satterfield, soprano - private student of Alina Kozinska

Xin Wu - collaborative pianist

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

St. Mark's Lutheran Church

Jericho Stage, Inc.

Washington National Opera

IN Series 

Marquita Lister

Min Jin

Ayanna Freelon

Elris O'Garro-Davis & Clarence Davis

Andrew Stewart

CORPORATE PARTNERS

Many thanks to these companies whose partnership makes this performance possible.

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Engagement of this event's opera performers is through the generosity of the Loretta Lee Ver Valen Endowment Fund for Leading Operatic Artists

Support for this production also comes

from these generous organizations:

The Baltimore Opera Company Foundation Fund

The S. James Campbell Fund

The Maryland State Arts Council

The production of Oshun received funding from OPERA America's Next Stage Grants.

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