A new collaboration between students and faculty from SIUE, Webster University, and Tessitura Music, the Arch City Opera Project brings a fresh, vibrant production of Susannah to life. This emotionally powerful work by Carlisle Floyd is reimagined through a creative partnership that blends emerging talent with seasoned mentorship, offering audiences a compelling operatic experience rooted in artistic excellence and community engagement.

A new collaboration between students and faculty from SIUE, Webster University, and Tessitura Music, the Arch City Opera Project brings a fresh, vibrant production of Susannah to life. This emotionally powerful work by Carlisle Floyd is reimagined through a creative partnership that blends emerging talent with seasoned mentorship, offering audiences a compelling operatic experience rooted in artistic excellence and community engagement.

Celebrate the 100th birthday of Carlisle Floyd, one of America’s most influential opera composers, with a landmark Centennial Concert at Carnegie Hall on June 20, 2026. This unforgettable evening features world-renowned artists, orchestral musicians, and the choirs of the University of Houston and Florida State University, performing beloved favorites like “Ain’t It A Pretty Night” alongside rarely heard works and selections from Willie Stark and Cold Sassy Tree.

Steinbeck’s timeless novella Of Mice & Men becomes a superbly crafted opera of great beauty and power. George and Lennie are two migrant ranch workers who dream of owning an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. But George cannot guard Lennie, a childlike giant of a man with a love for soft things, from the bullying of the ranch boss and his flirtation set unhappy young wife.

This new production is co-produced by Des Moines Metro Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Florida State University.

Steinbeck’s timeless novella Of Mice & Men becomes a superbly crafted opera of great beauty and power. George and Lennie are two migrant ranch workers who dream of owning an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. But George cannot guard Lennie, a childlike giant of a man with a love for soft things, from the bullying of the ranch boss and his flirtation set unhappy young wife.

This new production is co-produced by Des Moines Metro Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Florida State University.

Steinbeck’s timeless novella Of Mice & Men becomes a superbly crafted opera of great beauty and power. George and Lennie are two migrant ranch workers who dream of owning an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. But George cannot guard Lennie, a childlike giant of a man with a love for soft things, from the bullying of the ranch boss and his flirtation set unhappy young wife.

This new production is co-produced by Des Moines Metro Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Florida State University.

Susannah Polk is a young woman whose beauty and independence make her stand out in her tightly-knit mountain community. When she’s accused of immoral behavior by the valley’s self-righteous elders, rumor quickly hardens into judgment. Even the well-meaning Reverend is torn between compassion and desire, creating turmoil that drives the drama to bitter tragedy.

Carlisle Floyd’s score fuses Appalachian folk sounds with soaring lyricism, creating one of the most unforgettable American works of the 20th century.

Susannah Polk is a young woman whose beauty and independence make her stand out in her tightly-knit mountain community. When she’s accused of immoral behavior by the valley’s self-righteous elders, rumor quickly hardens into judgment. Even the well-meaning Reverend is torn between compassion and desire, creating turmoil that drives the drama to bitter tragedy.

Carlisle Floyd’s score fuses Appalachian folk sounds with soaring lyricism, creating one of the most unforgettable American works of the 20th century.

Steinbeck’s timeless novella Of Mice & Men becomes a superbly crafted opera of great beauty and power. George and Lennie are two migrant ranch workers who dream of owning an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. But George cannot guard Lennie, a childlike giant of a man with a love for soft things, from the bullying of the ranch boss and his flirtation set unhappy young wife.

This new production is co-produced by Des Moines Metro Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Florida State University.

Steinbeck’s timeless novella Of Mice & Men becomes a superbly crafted opera of great beauty and power. George and Lennie are two migrant ranch workers who dream of owning an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. But George cannot guard Lennie, a childlike giant of a man with a love for soft things, from the bullying of the ranch boss and his flirtation set unhappy young wife.

This new production is co-produced by Des Moines Metro Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Florida State University.

Susannah Polk is a young woman whose beauty and independence make her stand out in her tightly-knit mountain community. When she’s accused of immoral behavior by the valley’s self-righteous elders, rumor quickly hardens into judgment. Even the well-meaning Reverend is torn between compassion and desire, creating turmoil that drives the drama to bitter tragedy.

Carlisle Floyd’s score fuses Appalachian folk sounds with soaring lyricism, creating one of the most unforgettable American works of the 20th century.

Susannah Polk is a young woman whose beauty and independence make her stand out in her tightly-knit mountain community. When she’s accused of immoral behavior by the valley’s self-righteous elders, rumor quickly hardens into judgment. Even the well-meaning Reverend is torn between compassion and desire, creating turmoil that drives the drama to bitter tragedy.

Carlisle Floyd’s score fuses Appalachian folk sounds with soaring lyricism, creating one of the most unforgettable American works of the 20th century.

A deeply American masterpiece, Susannah, launches HGO’s 2026-27 season, continuing the company’s centenary celebration of opera icon Carlisle Floyd.

Set in the hills of Tennessee and inspired by Floyd’s own roots as a minister’s son, the story follows Susannah, a young woman whose life is shattered after she’s seen bathing in a creek by church elders, leading to cruel gossip, judgment, and finally, her harrowing assault. Shared through a genre-blending score infused with revival hymns and Appalachian folksong—and a libretto, also by Floyd, written in colorful regional dialect—the opera will be presented in a new staging from celebrated soprano-turned-director Patricia Racette. Soprano Angel Blue, an international sensation, makes her role debut as Susannah, with leading baritone Rod Gilfry as the Reverend Olin Blitch and rising tenors Bille Bruley and Aaron Blake as Sam and Little Bat. Maestro James Gaffigan conducts.

A deeply American masterpiece, Susannah, launches HGO’s 2026-27 season, continuing the company’s centenary celebration of opera icon Carlisle Floyd.

Set in the hills of Tennessee and inspired by Floyd’s own roots as a minister’s son, the story follows Susannah, a young woman whose life is shattered after she’s seen bathing in a creek by church elders, leading to cruel gossip, judgment, and finally, her harrowing assault. Shared through a genre-blending score infused with revival hymns and Appalachian folksong—and a libretto, also by Floyd, written in colorful regional dialect—the opera will be presented in a new staging from celebrated soprano-turned-director Patricia Racette. Soprano Angel Blue, an international sensation, makes her role debut as Susannah, with leading baritone Rod Gilfry as the Reverend Olin Blitch and rising tenors Bille Bruley and Aaron Blake as Sam and Little Bat. Maestro James Gaffigan conducts.

A deeply American masterpiece, Susannah, launches HGO’s 2026-27 season, continuing the company’s centenary celebration of opera icon Carlisle Floyd.

Set in the hills of Tennessee and inspired by Floyd’s own roots as a minister’s son, the story follows Susannah, a young woman whose life is shattered after she’s seen bathing in a creek by church elders, leading to cruel gossip, judgment, and finally, her harrowing assault. Shared through a genre-blending score infused with revival hymns and Appalachian folksong—and a libretto, also by Floyd, written in colorful regional dialect—the opera will be presented in a new staging from celebrated soprano-turned-director Patricia Racette. Soprano Angel Blue, an international sensation, makes her role debut as Susannah, with leading baritone Rod Gilfry as the Reverend Olin Blitch and rising tenors Bille Bruley and Aaron Blake as Sam and Little Bat. Maestro James Gaffigan conducts.

An Opera of Innocence in a Town Without Mercy

Curtis Opera Theatre opens its 2026–27 series with Susannah, Carlisle Floyd’s poignant tragedy that helped define American opera. Written at the height of 1950s McCarthyism, the opera draws inspiration from the biblical story of Susanna and the Elders, reimagining the tale in rural Tennessee. The work follows a young woman unjustly persecuted by her Evangelical community after a false accusation, unfolding into a raw and deeply human drama.

Praised for its distinctly American voice, Floyd’s score blends folk-inspired melodies and Protestant hymnody with sweeping operatic lyricism, creating a sound world rooted in the American South. One of the most frequently performed American operas, Susannah explores themes of religious hypocrisy, isolation, and the loss of innocence—resonating as powerfully today as at its 1955 premiere.

An Opera of Innocence in a Town Without Mercy

Curtis Opera Theatre opens its 2026–27 series with Susannah, Carlisle Floyd’s poignant tragedy that helped define American opera. Written at the height of 1950s McCarthyism, the opera draws inspiration from the biblical story of Susanna and the Elders, reimagining the tale in rural Tennessee. The work follows a young woman unjustly persecuted by her Evangelical community after a false accusation, unfolding into a raw and deeply human drama.

Praised for its distinctly American voice, Floyd’s score blends folk-inspired melodies and Protestant hymnody with sweeping operatic lyricism, creating a sound world rooted in the American South. One of the most frequently performed American operas, Susannah explores themes of religious hypocrisy, isolation, and the loss of innocence—resonating as powerfully today as at its 1955 premiere.

Inspired by the biblical story of Susannah and the Elders, it’s about an 18-year-old girl named Susannah who is condemned as a sinner by the church leaders and citizens of her rural Appalachian town for innocently bathing in a creek.

San Diego Opera had a long association with Floyd, producing five of his operas, beginning with “Susannah,” from 1981 to 2001. This year marks the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Inspired by the biblical story of Susannah and the Elders, it’s about an 18-year-old girl named Susannah who is condemned as a sinner by the church leaders and citizens of her rural Appalachian town for innocently bathing in a creek.

San Diego Opera had a long association with Floyd, producing five of his operas, beginning with “Susannah,” from 1981 to 2001. This year marks the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Inspired by the biblical story of Susannah and the Elders, it’s about an 18-year-old girl named Susannah who is condemned as a sinner by the church leaders and citizens of her rural Appalachian town for innocently bathing in a creek.

San Diego Opera had a long association with Floyd, producing five of his operas, beginning with “Susannah,” from 1981 to 2001. This year marks the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Gabriella Reyes stars in Carlisle Floyd’s apocryphal Appalachian fable, presented at Lyric Opera of Chicago for the first time since 2002.

In small-town Tennessee, young Susannah’s beauty and gentleness earn her admiration from some — and envy from others. But in this devout community where modesty is tantamount to holiness, rumors of Susannah’s impropriety threaten more than just her humble reputation.

With a taut, visceral libretto sung in English and a score that infuses lush orchestration with flavors of Broadway and American folk music, this modern masterpiece is as raw and gripping today as when it premiered more than five decades ago.

Gabriella Reyes stars in Carlisle Floyd’s apocryphal Appalachian fable, presented at Lyric Opera of Chicago for the first time since 2002.

In small-town Tennessee, young Susannah’s beauty and gentleness earn her admiration from some — and envy from others. But in this devout community where modesty is tantamount to holiness, rumors of Susannah’s impropriety threaten more than just her humble reputation.

With a taut, visceral libretto sung in English and a score that infuses lush orchestration with flavors of Broadway and American folk music, this modern masterpiece is as raw and gripping today as when it premiered more than five decades ago.

Gabriella Reyes stars in Carlisle Floyd’s apocryphal Appalachian fable, presented at Lyric Opera of Chicago for the first time since 2002.

In small-town Tennessee, young Susannah’s beauty and gentleness earn her admiration from some — and envy from others. But in this devout community where modesty is tantamount to holiness, rumors of Susannah’s impropriety threaten more than just her humble reputation.

With a taut, visceral libretto sung in English and a score that infuses lush orchestration with flavors of Broadway and American folk music, this modern masterpiece is as raw and gripping today as when it premiered more than five decades ago.

Gabriella Reyes stars in Carlisle Floyd’s apocryphal Appalachian fable, presented at Lyric Opera of Chicago for the first time since 2002.

In small-town Tennessee, young Susannah’s beauty and gentleness earn her admiration from some — and envy from others. But in this devout community where modesty is tantamount to holiness, rumors of Susannah’s impropriety threaten more than just her humble reputation.

With a taut, visceral libretto sung in English and a score that infuses lush orchestration with flavors of Broadway and American folk music, this modern masterpiece is as raw and gripping today as when it premiered more than five decades ago.