New Works

OperaWorks™ performances extend beyond the singer training programs through performances by faculty and artist collaborators.

  • Vocalise

    by Sergei Rachmaninoff

    November 18-10, 2016
    Northridge, California

    Dr. Paula Thomson
    Concept, Choreography

    Ann Baltz
    Music Director, Pianist

    Nan Cui
    Soprano

    Lilia Kibarska
    Dancer

    The dancer, opera singer and pianist are aspects of one Self, a self that is longing to fulfill that which never happened and to heal that which disintegrated the self. Vocalise reflects the steady movement forward in time, while we struggle to reconcile the past and seek the future.

  • For Now: Love, Hate, Hope, Fear

    a musically improvised concert

    September 18-21, 2014
    Boulder, Colorado

    Kristin Gornstein
    Mezzo Soprano

    Ryan Drickey
    Violin​

    David Aks
    Cello

    Ann Baltz
    Piano

    We asked 50 people the same questions: “What do you love in your life? What do you hate? What do you fear? What brings you hope?” The powerful thought-provoking answers provide the texts for four musicians improvising with each other, creating something wholly new for each of five performances. The musicians’ different musical roots (opera, classical music, folk, jazz) bring excitement and spontaneity to this original production.

    As part of —
    Boulder International Fringe Festival

  • Vocalise

    by Sergei Rachmaninoff

    March 4 & 7, 2013
    Los Angeles, California

    Dr. Paula Thomson
    Concept, Choreography

    Kanae Matsumoto
    Music Director, Pianist

    Nan Cui
    Soprano

    Lilia Kibarska
    Dancer

    The dancer, opera singer and pianist are aspects of one Self, a self that is longing to fulfill that which never happened and to heal that which disintegrated the self. Vocalise reflects the steady movement forward in time, while we struggle to reconcile the past and seek the future.

    As part of —
    On the Edge of Chaos: Finding Flow & Resilience through Creativity & the Arts

    University of California, Los Angeles

  • in celebration of small

    by Zern Lieu

    March 25, 2012
    New York City, New York

    Ann Baltz
    Artistic Direction

    Zeffin Quinn Hollis
    Production

    Eric Sedgwick
    Musical Direction

    Rebecca Blinder / Jill Dewsnup / Ashley Emerson / Laura Farmer / Frank Hampton / Lauren Haber / Beverly Love / Inez Antoni Mendezona / Sara Noble / Elizabeth Novella / Marci Wagnon / Jennifer Weingartner
    Full Cast

    Small steps start the longest journeys. In a world where facebook friend tallies, klout scores, and text messages are replacing true relationships, twelve singers integrate operatic arias along with spoken word and movement to bring back personal connection. “in celebration of small” is a one-act operatic theater piece with text by Zern Lieu adapted from an original article. small is the new big.

  • The Diary of Virginia Woolf

    by Dominick Argento

    May 9, 2010
    Los Angeles, California

    Dr. Paula Thomson
    Choreographer

    Ann Baltz
    Music Director, Pianist

    Erika Wueschner, Kristina Driskill
    Singers

    Lilia Kibarska
    Dancer

    A choreographed performance of Argento’s song cycle in collaboration with OperaWorks faculty, alumni, and California State University, Northridge’s dance department.​

  • Vocalise

    by Sergei Rachmaninoff

    November 18-10, 2016
    Northridge, California

    Dr. Paula Thomson
    Concept, Choreography

    Ann Baltz
    Music Director, Pianist

    Nan Cui
    Soprano

    Lilia Kibarska
    Dancer

    The dancer, opera singer and pianist are aspects of one Self, a self that is longing to fulfill that which never happened and to heal that which disintegrated the self. Vocalise reflects the steady movement forward in time, while we struggle to reconcile the past and seek the future.

  • Tony Caruso's Final Broadcast

    World staged premiere

    January 4, 2008
    Los Angeles, California

    Paul Salerni
    Composer

    Dana Gioia
    Librettist

    Ann Baltz
    Producer, Co-Music Director

    David Aks
    Conductor, Co-Music Director:

    Eli Villanueva
    Stage Director

    Henry Fogel
    Christopher Campbell
    Erika Wueschner
    Kristina Driskill
    Cast

    Wendy Elizabeth Cooper / Laura D. Parker / Bruce Wright / Hannah Waldman / Vincent Robles / Julie Bermel / April Amante / Jayme Alilaw / Steven Lanzarotta
    Ensemble

    The one-act opera takes place in a classical music radio station on the last night of its operations. The station’s final program, “Opera Lover,” is hosted by Antonio Caruso, a failed tenor who has worked on the show for 27 years.

    As part of —
    National NOA Conference •

    Funding provided by the National Opera Association; the LA Opera Community Programs; the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication at California State University-Northridge; and the Opera Guild of Southern California.

  • Beached

    Piano Improvisation by Ann Baltz

    October 10, 2007
    Los Angeles, California

    Dr. Paula Thomson
    Artistic Advisor

    Jacob “Kujo” Lyons
    Lux Aeterna Dance Company
    Choreography

    Kristina Driskill
    Laura Parker​
    Improv Singers

    A collaboration between OperaWorks and award-winning Lux Aeterna Dance Company. Live performance at the Anson Ford Amphitheater in Los Angeles involving pre-recorded piano improvisations, choreographed and danced by Lux Aeterna Dance Company, with live classical vocal improvisations onstage in performance.

    Anson Ford Amphitheater

  • Underwater

    Cello improvisation by David Aks

    October 10, 2007
    Los Angeles, CA

    Lux Aeterna Dance Company
    Dancers

    David Aks
    Cello

    A unique collaboration involving pre-recorded cello improvisations that were choreographed, performed and filmed underwater by award-winning Lux Aeterna Dance Company. The underwater film was the prelude to the live dance “Beached” with recorded and live piano/vocal improvisations.

    Anson Ford Amphitheater