Connecticut Lyric Opera (CLO) is proud to present its 21st season, one dedicated to showcasing the incredible range and emotional power of the human voice. From the tender whispers of love to the soaring calls for justice, CLO’s 2024 season invites audiences on a journey through opera’s most central themes—passion, resilience, and the fight for freedom. With performances spanning classical masterpieces, contemporary works, and stirring recitals, this season emphasizes how powerful and transformative raising one’s voice can be, both on stage and in the world.
October 12, 2024 – Church of the Intercession, New York City
Preview of Anthony Davis’s opera “Amistad”
In collaboration with Harlem Opera Theater, CLO presents an exclusive preview of Amistad, Anthony Davis’s groundbreaking opera. Set against the powerful backdrop of the 1839 Amistad Uprising, this work explores themes of justice, freedom, and resistance. The preview performance will offer a glimpse into the full production scheduled for later in the season, emphasizing the enduring relevance of these historical events.
February 15, 2025 – Connecticut College, New London
Love, Loss, and Longing
This special Valentines recital will feature favorite CLO artists exploring opera’s most central theme: love. Through arias and duets from some of the most beloved operas, the recital will examine the many facets of love—passion, heartbreak, desire, and devotion. A tribute to the emotional depth and range that opera captures so beautifully, this concert will be a celebration of the voice’s capacity to convey the full spectrum of human emotion.
April 4, 2025 – Connecticut College, New London
Hear Their Voices
A moving song cycle based on the poetry of Afghan women, this concert offers a haunting and powerful reflection on the experiences of women navigating war, loss, and resilience. By giving voice to these untold stories, CLO underscores its commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and fostering global understanding.
May 16, 17, 23, 31, 2025
Anthony Davis’s opera Amistad
May 16 – Shubert Performing Arts Center, New Haven
May 17 – Bushnell Performing Arts Center, Hartford
May 23 – Garde Performing Arts Center, New London
May 31 – Church of the Intercession, New York City
Concluding the season is a full production of Pulitzer-winning composer Anthony Davis’s opera Amistad. In collaboration with Harlem Opera Theater and Discovering Amistad, CLO brings this extraordinary work to stages across Connecticut and New York. The opera, which recounts the 1839 slave revolt aboard the Spanish ship La Amistad and its aftermath, speaks to enduring themes of racial justice, human dignity, and the fight for freedom. This powerful production, enhanced by multimedia elements and full orchestration, promises to be a tour de force, reminding audiences of the significance of lifting our voices in pursuit of justice.
Jurate Svedaite, CLO’s newly appointed Artistic Director reflects on the significance of the season: “This year, we celebrate the voice not only as a vehicle for musical beauty but as an instrument for justice, emotion, and transformation. From the evocative tales of love to the bold and courageous storytelling of Amistad, we are reminded of how essential it is to raise our voices to create meaningful change.”
Connecticut Lyric Opera invites you to join us this season to experience the power and passion of the human voice. Whether through expressions of love, resilience, or justice, these performances promise to captivate audiences with their emotional depth and artistic brilliance.