American Opera Projects

American Opera Projects The country’s most exciting source for new opera and music theater. Located in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York.

06/19/2026

to MISS SUBWAY (composer Sean Stone, librettist Allie Lewis) from the 2026 AOP-NYU/Tisch Opera Lab: THE TRANSIT OPERAS, 12 short operas inspired and dedicated to the New York Transit Museum in celebration of their 50th anniversary.

Featuring singers MaKayla McDonald, Ilene Pabon & Lyle Mitchell. Music director/pianist Chérie Roe, stage director Miguel Bregante, costume design Lionella Darling & Oriana Lineweaver, set design Mara Zinky, lighting M Berry. Stage manager Chris Moeggenberg, assistant stage manager Ellie Miller.

Video excerpt from May 17 performance at NYU Paulson Center's African Grove Theatre. Photos by Lisa Aurigemma from May 21 performance at NY Transit Museum.

AOP commissions, develops and produces operas from creators whose work can stand the test of time. Laura Kaminsky with M...
06/18/2026

AOP commissions, develops and produces operas from creators whose work can stand the test of time. Laura Kaminsky with Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed made AS ONE for AOP and its BAM debut in 2014: a trans story that is reverberating throughout the contemporary opera scene. Check back for more AS ONE information during Pride Month.

AOP closed our BAM presentation of Laura's and librettist Elaine Sexton's THE POST OFFICE: "the crossing of music and text, imagery and language, sound and discourse, each becoming the other..." - R. Sarkissian, Whitehot Magazine.

Our colleagues at Seattle Opera have just announced Laura, alongside librettist Deborah Brevoort will be the Creative Directors of Jane Lang David Creation Lab, a new-works incubator program.

Photo 1: Laura Kaminsky, credit: Ellen McDermott
Photo 2: Briana Hunter & Jorell Williams from the AS ONE production at Kaufman Music Center, co-produced by AOP & New York City Opera, credit: Steven Pisano. Stage director Matt Gray, conductor Steven Osgood, production design Ron Kadri, lighting design Michael Baumgarten, costume design Barney Fitzgerald, video design Kim Reed
Photo 3: Markel Reed & Brian Jeffers for THE POST OFFICE, credit: James Matthew Daniel. Stage director Kevin Newbury, conductor David Bloom, scenic design Charles Renfro, associate designer Alex Knezo, associate projection design Zack Lobel, lighting design Phillip Franck, costume design Amanda Roberge

06/12/2026

to AOP's workshops of BARCELONA, MAP OF SHADOWS & THE RIDDLE.

Make a donation today and support AOP: https://donate.aopopera.org/give/341947/ #!/donation/checkout

BARCELONA MAP OF SHADOWS:
Music by Mikael Karlsson, libretto & stage direction by Mallory Catlett, conductor Rebekah Heller.
SHE: Patricia Schuman (mezzo)
YOUNG MAN: Damian Norfleet (baritone)

Video by Bill Morrison

THE RIDDLE:
Music by Tamar Muskal, libretto by Daniel Kramer, conductor Tian Hui Ng

NADIA: Raehann Bryce-Davis / Devony Smith
ABRAHAM: Jason Zacher
SIRI: Lucy Fitz Gibbon
SPHINX: Patrick Dailey
ANGEL FISH: Hila Plittman
CROW: Sam Rachmuth

Chérie Roe - Piano
Alexis Gerlach - Cello
Kenny Urban - Beatboxer
Shane Shanahan - Percussion

Video excerpt: Damien Norfleet & Patricia Schuman from March 18 workshop at Mabou Mines.
Photo: Tamar Muskal & Tian Hui Ng

to AOP's Spring Season, from the BAM premiere of THE POST OFFICE, to the latest production from the AOP-NYU/Tisch Oper...
06/11/2026

to AOP's Spring Season, from the BAM premiere of THE POST OFFICE, to the latest production from the AOP-NYU/Tisch Opera Lab, THE TRANSIT OPERAS.

Make a donation today at and support AOP's mission of commissioning, developing and premiering exciting and important new operas:
https://donate.aopopera.org/give/341947/ #!/donation/checkout

THE POST OFFICE company:
Music by Laura Kaminsky (AS ONE), libretto by Elaine Sexton (SITE SPECIFIC), design by Charles Renfro, Diller Scofidio + Renfro.

Stage director Kevin Newbury, conductor David Bloom, pianist Daniel Gortler.

Cast:
Sarah Moulton Faux
Blythe Gaissert
Brian Jeffers
Michael Kelly
David Adam Moore
Markel Reed

Associate designer Alex Knezo
Associate projection designer Zack Lobel
Lighting designer Phillip Franck
Costume designer Amanda Roberge
Production manager Yichun Li
Stage manager Valos Lowe
Assistant stage manager Juliet Grace Grochowski
Assistant to the conductor Laura Jobin-Acosta

THE TRANSIT OPERAS:
Composers: Dan Gibson, Felipe Segovia Sanhueza, Zane Bridwell, Landon Braverman, Stefanos Kemanetzis, Gaurav Mishra, Sean Stone, Dawson Atkin, Austin Nuckols, Tess Edwards, Commodore Primous, Kris Kusnierz
Librettists: Chiara M.N., Kennen Butler, Simon Lansberg-Rodriguez, Susan Li, Chenyue Hu, Caleb Conaway, Allie Lewis, Mel Hornyak, Tia DeShazor, Alexander Ronneburg, Danielle Keiko Eyer, Jacob Cordas
Singers: Jardena Gertler-Jaffe, Kira Dills-DeSurra, Jordan Rutter-Covatto, Reykwaan Adorno, MaKayla McDonald, Ilene Pabon, Robert Mack, and Lyle Mitchell
Music Directors: Julius Abrahams & Chérie Roe
Directors: Britt Berke, Jerrica White, Miguel Bregante, Martavius Parrish
Designers: Lionella Darling, Christine DiJospeh, Alex Driessen, Oriana Lineweaver, Matt Oxley, Eryn Perkins, Matt Conte, Woori Kim, Yufan Hu, Yun Yen, Mara Zinky, M Berry, Sooju Kim, Jordan McAuliffe

Photos by Steven Pisano
Photo 1: Brian Jeffers, David Adam Moore, Sarah Moulton Faux, Blythe Gaissert
2: Jordan Rutter-Covatto, Kira Dills-DeSurra, Reykwaan Adorno

06/10/2026

O Public! Benjamin Franklin’s ghost appeals to you in this 250th year of our Democracy to support AOP’s community of creators making music, poetry and architecture: Opera!

Make a donation and support AOP. Donate before June 30 to make a bigger impact:
https://donate.aopopera.org/give/341947/ #!/donation/checkout

“Hypnotically directed by Kevin Newbury and unfailingly conducted by David Bloom.
”What lingers is the crossing of music and text, imagery and language, sound and discourse, each becoming the other. Kaminsky's piano writing—classical in its rigor, masterful in its formal control—holds its composure above a vocal landscape that has retreated into something primal and somewhat elusive.”
— White Hot Magazine, Raphy Sarkissian

“Charles Renfro’s ingenious set, constructed from postal boxes that pull out to reveal furniture and hidden props..."
— NYT, Gabrielle Ferrari

THE POST OFFICE:
Music by Laura Kaminsky (AS ONE), libretto by Elaine Sexton (SITE SPECIFIC), design by Charles Renfro, Diller Scofidio + Renfro.

Stage director Kevin Newbury, conductor David Bloom, pianist Daniel Gortler.

Cast:
Sarah Moulton Faux
Blythe Gaissert
Brian Jeffers
Michael Kelly
David Adam Moore
Markel Reed

Associate designer Alex Knezo
Associate projection designer Zack Lobel
Lighting designer Phillip Franck
Costume designer Amanda Roberge
Production manager Yichun Li
Stage manager Valos Lowe
Assistant stage manager Juliet Grace Grochowski
Assistant to the conductor Laura Jobin-Acosta

AOP thanks our partners Spruce Peak Arts & Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Excerpt: David Adam Moore as the ghost of Benjamin Franklin appears above Brian Jeffers & Blythe Gaissert. From the world premiere of THE POST OFFICE at Spruce Peak Arts & BAM. Video by Zack Lobel.

06/05/2026

to David Adam Moore as Benjamin Franklin in the world premiere of THE POST OFFICE at Spruce Peak Arts. Clip demonstrates the unique set design by Charles Renfro, as the ghost of Franklin (the first US Postmaster General) looms over civil discord in a local post office.

David's next role is Stanley Kowalski in Opera Theatre of St. Louis' production of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, June 7-26. Music by Andre Previn, libretto by Philip Littell, based on the play by Tennessee Williams. Director Patricia Racette, conductor Daniela Candillari.

THE POST OFFICE world premiere company:
Music by Laura Kaminsky (AS ONE), libretto by Elaine Sexton (SITE SPECIFIC), design by Charles Renfro.

Stage director Kevin Newbury, conductor David Bloom, pianist Daniel Gortler.

Cast:
Sarah Moulton Faux
Blythe Gaissert
Brian Jeffers
Michael Kelly
David Adam Moore
Markel Reed

Associate designer Alex Knezo
Associate projection designer Zack Lobel
Lighting designer Phillip Franck
Costume designer Amanda Roberge
Production manager Yichun Li
Stage manager Valos Lowe
Assistant stage manager Juliet Grace Grochowski
Assistant to the conductor Laura Jobin-Acosta

Support THE POST OFFICE and AOP: https://donate.aopopera.org/give/341947/ #!/donation/checkout
Video: Zack Lobel

Composers & the Voice, 2011-13 alum Mikael Karlsson's next collaboration with AOP, after 2018's THE ECHO DRIFT, is BARCE...
06/04/2026

Composers & the Voice, 2011-13 alum Mikael Karlsson's next collaboration with AOP, after 2018's THE ECHO DRIFT, is BARCELONA, MAP OF SHADOWS. With libretto by Mallory Catlett (stage director for THE ECHO DRIFT) and in collaboration with Mabou Mines, BARCELONA is an inherently musical story: a broadcast of Maria Callas’ recording of LA BOHEME is the backdrop for Spanish Civil War era fascism; a man grappling with terminal sickness remembers an enchanting meeting with Callas. The workshopping process has been tailored to Karlsson’s thoroughly unique voice and composing workflow -- including sessions with International Contemporary Ensemble musicians to develop the work’s core musical themes which he samples.

THE SCOTTISH BALLET and “MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS” just had its American Premiere at SPOLETO FESTIVAL (May 28-30) in Charleston SC, and begins a run of performance at LINCOLN CENTER in NYC tonight (June 4-7)! Original score by Michael P. Atkinson & Mikael Karlsson. With the New York City Ballet Orchestra.

Support BARCELONA, MAP OF SHADOWS and AOP: https://donate.aopopera.org/give/341947/ #!/donation/checkout

Pictured: Damian Norfleet & Patricia Schuman from March '26 workshop at Mabou Mines

Ray Lustig's SEMMELWEIS was developed in AOP's Composers & the Voice with librettist Matt Doherty. After the opera's pre...
05/28/2026

Ray Lustig's SEMMELWEIS was developed in AOP's Composers & the Voice with librettist Matt Doherty. After the opera's premiere in Budapest Sept, 2018, AOP produced newly arranged English-language excerpts Dec, 2023 in collaboration with the New York Academy of Medicine.

A CD studio recording "is presented in luminous, finely detailed sound." Read the Grammophone review: https://www.gramophone.co.uk/reviews/lustig-semmelweis

The album features soprano Charlotte Mundy and Lustig among other musicians.

SEMMELWEIS a 75-minute work inspired by the story of nineteenth-century Hungarian obstetrician Ignác Semmelweis who found a cure for a devastating epidemic but could not convince his fellow scientists of his solution and died in an asylum. Dr. Semmelweis had discovered an unthinkable truth: that deadly diseases were passed on to healthy mothers, who then became sick, on the unwashed hands of doctors. Read more about the opera here: https://www.aopopera.org/semmelweis

Support AOP's mission of developing, commissioning & producing new work and donate today: https://donate.aopopera.org/give/341947/ #!/donation/checkout

Tonight is the final performance of THE POST OFFICE at BAM! Limited tickets available: https://www.bam.org/opera/2026/th...
05/21/2026

Tonight is the final performance of THE POST OFFICE at BAM! Limited tickets available: https://www.bam.org/opera/2026/the-post-office

Experience this opera by composer Laura Kaminsky (AS ONE) and poet/librettist Elaine Sexton (SITE SPECIFIC), with design by Charles Renfro, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, addressing democracy and equality in modern day America.

NYT critics notebook: "[an opera] attempting to capture these nebulous times.
"...: very fine singing from Markel Reed, and David Adam Moore as [Benjamin] Franklin.
“…Laura Kaminsky’s THE POST OFFICE Ives-inflected harmonies… Charles Renfro’s ingenious set, constructed from postal boxes that pull out to reveal furniture and hidden props..."

Stage direction by Kevin Newbury, conducted by David Bloom, piano Daniel Gortler.

THE POST OFFICE cast:
Sarah Moulton Faux
Blythe Gaissert
Brian Jeffers
Michael Kelly
David Adam Moore
Markel Reed

Associate designer Alex Knezo
Associate projection designer Zack Lobel
Lighting designer Phillip Franck
Costume designer Amanda Roberge
Production manager Yichun Li
Stage manager Valos Lowe
Assistant stage manager Juliet Grace Grochowski
Assistant to the conductor Laura Jobin-Acosta

Photos: Steven Pisano & Sarah Peet
Photo 1: Daniel Gortler, Laura Jobin-Acosta
Photo 2: Sarah Moulton-Faux, Markel Reed, Brian Jeffers
Photo 3: Markel Reed, David Adam Moore
Photo 4: Markel Reed, Blythe Gaissert
Photo 5: Sarah Moulton Faux
Photo 6: Brian Jeffers, Michael Kelly, Blythe Gaissert, Sarah Moulton Faux

Take a look back at the BAM premiere of THE POST OFFICE! Limited tickets available for May 20 & 21 here: https://www.bam...
05/20/2026

Take a look back at the BAM premiere of THE POST OFFICE! Limited tickets available for May 20 & 21 here: https://www.bam.org/opera/2026/the-post-office

Experience this contemporary opera by composer Laura Kaminsky (AS ONE) and poet/librettist Elaine Sexton (SITE SPECIFIC), with design by Charles Renfro, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, addressing democracy and equality in modern day America.

Stage direction by Kevin Newbury, conducted by David Bloom, piano Daniel Gortler.

THE POST OFFICE cast:
Sarah Moulton Faux
Blythe Gaissert
Brian Jeffers
Michael Kelly
David Adam Moore
Markel Reed

Associate designer Alex Knezo
Associate projection designer Zack Lobel
Lighting designer Phillip Franck
Costume designer Amanda Roberge
Production manager Yichun Li
Stage manager Valos Lowe
Assistant stage manager Juliet Grace Grochowski
Assistant to the conductor Laura Jobin-Acosta

Photo: Steven Pisano
Photo 1: Brian Jeffers, Markel Reed
Photo 2: David Adam Moore, Sarah Moulton-Faux
Photo 3: Blythe Gaissert
Photo 4: David Adam Moore

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138 S Oxford Street Ste 1C
Brooklyn, NY
11217

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm

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