Two queer artists ready to debut new operas at Kennedy Center
American Opera InitiativeKennedy Center Terrace TheaterJan. 18, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.$25.00 – $39.00Kennedy-center.org For those who find traditional opera off-putting or mired in the past, there’s the American Opera Initiative (AOI).
Now in its 12th season, the Washington National Opera’s well-known program pairs composers and librettists who under mentorship spend months collaborating on new work, culminating with the premiere of three 20-minute operas.
Included in this year’s exciting group are queer artists JL Marlor and Omar Najmi. While these multi-taskers lend their composition talents to AOI, they are also performers and arts administrators.
Marlor’s bio includes electric guitarist, and performer (she fronts the celebrated indie rock band Tenderheart Bitches), and Najmi divides most of his time writing music and performing as an operatic tenor.
