Finger Lakes Opera commissions national talent for new opera

B.E. Boykin and Jarrod Lee’s Two Corners, a newly commissioned, one-act FLO opera for Finger Lakes Opera, will have its world premiere on June 28 and 30 at the Robin and Timothy Wentworth Arts Building.

The opera will feature talent from around the country, including original choreography by Norwood “PJ” Pennewell, Artistic Director of the Garth Fagan Dance Company.

OPERA CAST INCLUDES:

• Kearstin Piper Brown sings the role of Florine. Fresh off her debut run at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Rochester's own Brown is a lyric soprano in high demand with opera companies and orchestras worldwide.
• Joshua Conyers sings the role of Florine’s husband, Hollis. This performance marks the Grammy-nominated Baritone's debut with FLO.

• Kate Johnson sings the role of Sarah, Florine’s best friend. Two Corners marks the debut of the Soprano on FLO's mainstage.

• Rehanna Thelwell singing the role of Florine’s mother, Julia. Two Corners marks the debut of the Mezzo-soprano on FLO’s mainstage.

• David Soto Zambrana sings the role of Ken, Sarah’s husband, and the roles of Hobart (Sarah’s father) and JFK. Two Corners marks the debut of the Tenor on FLO's mainstage.

• Sydney Anderson singing the role of Sarah’s mother, Winnie. Two Corners marks the debut of the Soprano on FLO’s mainstage.

• Nathaniel Catasca sings the role of Store Clerk. The Tenor was a FLO Young Artist in 2020 and 2021.

Two Corners is about an interracial friendship, empathy, and standing in the gap when your friend needs you.

Two Cornersis loosely based on Boykin’s grandmother Florine, a Black woman, and her friendship with Sarah, a white woman, over a two-decade period during the Civil Rights Era. As Florine and Sarah reunite and reminisce, they realize their memories are different. At its root, this one-act multimedia production explores what it truly means to be a friend,” explains FLO Executive Director Elizabeth Long.

Behind the curtain:Finger Lakes Opera to host discussion on show making its world premiere in Rochester

WHEN

Friday, June 28 • 7 PM

Sunday, June 30 • 2 PM

WHERE

Monroe Community College Brighton Campus

Mainstage Theatre Inside The Robin and Timothy Wentworth Arts Building 

1000 East Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623

For Ticket Information Please Visit: www.fingerlakesopera.org or call 585.450.3880

Justice Marbury is the 19th Ward Reporter. She loves her energetic puppy, Hiro. Contact her on Instagram@justice_marbury and by email atjmarbury@gannett.com.