Composer:
Damien Sneed

Librettist:
Ike Holter

Composer website:
https://www.damiensneed.com/compositions

Composer contact:

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Notes:
In this world premiere, a group of South Side youth band together to change their neighborhood and fight against the negative media representation by a reporter obsessed with corruption. From redefining their own narrative to sharing what Chicago means to them, the stories and sounds of Chicago’s youth are featured in this groundbreaking new work written by Ike Holter with music by Damien Sneed. Commissioned by Lyric Opera of Chicago This opera is the culmination of EmpowerYouth!: Igniting Creativity through the Arts, a groundbreaking partnership between Lyric and the Chicago Urban League that immerses high school students in the creation and performance of an original opera. Students performed their opera alongside opera stars Angela Brown and Will Liverman and a 10-piece orchestra, bringing this dynamic new work to Lyric audiences in a fully-staged and costumed opera performance.