Cincinnati Opera Kicks Off the Black Opera Project with World Premiere of Kevin Day & Tifara Brown’s ‘Lalovavi’

Cincinnati Opera Kicks Off the Black Opera Project with World Premiere of Kevin Day & Tifara Brown’s ‘Lalovavi’ By Afton MarkayCincinnati Opera is set to present the world premiere of Kevin Day and Tifara Brown’s “Lalovavi,” an Afrofuturist adventure that opens the company’s three-opera Black Opera Project. “Lalovavi” (lah-low-VAH-vee) takes audiences 400 years into the future to a post-apocalyptic city built on the remains of what was once Atlanta. There, a daughter of a tyrannical ruler uncovers a hidden truth, launching her onto a transformative journey toward discovering the true meaning and power of love. Soprano Brittany Olivia Logan will lead the cast as the heroine Persephone, beside bass Morris Robinson as her father, Titan. Her mother, Niamara, will be sung by soprano Talise Trevigne, and her sister Zipporah, will be performed mezzo-soprano Zoie Reams. The cast also features soprano Adrienne Danrich as Dinah, tenor Terrence Chin-Loy as Lucian, baritone Michael Preacely as Dr. Apollos, and countertenor G. Thomas Allen as Ivavi. The are joined by a 24-voice chorus led by chorusmaster Donald Lee III. Kevin Miller conducts the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Kimille Howard serves as stage director and dramaturg. Scenic design is by Steven C. Kemp and Thomas C. Hase is the lighting designer. Costume design is by Kara Harmon, and wig and makeup design by Tiara Jones. Choreography was created by Chloe O. Davis. “Lalovavi” will be sung in English and Tut with projected English lyrics. Tut is a language created by enslaved Black Americans to communicate in secret; “lalovavi” is the Tut word for “love.” The world premiere will take place on July 9 and 11 at the Cincinnati Music Hall. Both performances are scheduled for 7:30 pm. Read Related Stories - Cincinnati Opera & University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Announce Preview of ‘Lalovavi’ - Cincinnati Opera to Launch The Black Opera Project - Cincinnati Opera Announces ‘Good Bones’ to Complete Black Opera Project Trilogy Categories News