2021 | 2022 Season
Opera Parallèle & Bayview Opera House present
Harriet’s Spirit
Music by Marcus Shelby
Libretto by Roma Olvera
A young girl’s story of courage
& empowerment, inspired
by Harriet Tubman.
- November 13, 2021 – 1pm & 4pm
- November 14, 2021 – 1pm
COVID HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
All audience members, staff and artists ages 12 and up must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Prior to entering the Bay View Opera House (BVOH), you will be asked to provide proof of vaccination through a QR code generated by Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record Website, or an original physical vaccination card or photograph of it, along with a valid government issued photo ID (a Student ID for minors under the age of 18 is also acceptable). Seating in BVOH will be distanced, and masks are required for all attendees. Please be aware that singers and select instrumentalists will perform without masks.
– seating capacity is reduced, seats placed in pairs socially distanced.
– masks are required inside the building at all times regardless of vaccination status
– there will be no food or drinks consumed inside the building at any time
– please refrain from attending if you have a cough, fever or any other COVID-19 related symptoms
Inspired by the life of American abolitionist and humanitarian Harriet Tubman, Harriet’s Spirit is a new opera based on the story of a middle school girl who triumphs over the challenges of adolescence with the help of the Civil War-era legend as her role model and spirit guide.
Modesty is a middle-school-aged girl who struggles with bullying. Too afraid to speak out or protect her friends who suffer from the same abuse, she blends into the scenery so her classmates won’t make fun of her. Modesty escapes her fear by learning about American abolitionist and humanitarian Harriet Tubman, who acts as her role model and spirit guide. In times of conflict, Tubman comforts Modesty, sharing advice and stories that connect to her life today. She shares how she triumphed during a moment of great peril in the Civil War through the power of love and music, inspiring Modesty to do the same.
Cast
Click on an artist BELOW to learn more
Tiffany Austin
'Harriet Tubman' - Soprano
Christabel Nunoo
'Modesty' - Soprano
Bradley Kynard
'Montgomery' - Baritone
San Francisco Girls Chorus
'Say Nothing & Bully Chorus'
Creative Team
L. Peter Callender
Director
Nicole Paiement
Conductor
Jaymes Kirksey
Assistant Conductor
Rachael Heiman
Set & Costume Designer
Kevin Myrick
Lighting Designer
Stage Manager: Leontyne Mbele-Mbong
Creative Contributor & Supporter: Denise Young Smith & Blue Organza Productions
Composer, Librettist & Musicians
Marcus Shelby
Composer
Roma Olvera
Librettist
Harriet's Spirit Instrumental Ensemble
Supporters
Major support for Harriet’s Spirit has been provided by The Future Fund, JW & HM Goodman Family Foundation, Sam Mazza Foundation, and Denise Young.
Major institutional and corporate support for Opera Parallèle has been provided by Adobe, Horizons Foundation, The Lemala Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, City & County of San Francisco Grants for the Arts, and The Shenson Foundation.
The Bullhorn: Amplifying Unheard Voices received funding from a Civic Practice Grant from OPERA America’s Opera Fund.