Aveline Kirana
San Francisco, CA – Opera Parallèle has unveiled its eagerly anticipated 2026-27 season, a compelling lineup of three distinct productions designed to resonate with contemporary audiences and underscore the company’s enduring commitment to innovative and impactful operatic experiences. The season, which marks Opera Parallèle’s 17th anniversary, will feature the world premiere of a new work, alongside the West Coast debuts of two significant chamber operas, promising a diverse and thought-provoking exploration of themes ranging from identity and resilience to spirituality and human connection.
"Opera Parallèle was founded on the belief that opera can illuminate the complexity of contemporary life while creating transformative artistic experiences," stated Nicole Paiement, Founder and Artistic Director of Opera Parallèle. "This new 2026-27 season reflects that mission in three very different but equally compelling works that speak to identity, resilience, spirituality, and the enduring power of human connection. We are honored to lift up these stories and showcase the extraordinary talent of these composers and librettists."
The season’s ambitious programming underscores Opera Parallèle’s consistent dedication to commissioning and presenting new works, as well as bringing significant contemporary operas to the San Francisco Bay Area. Since its inception in 2010, the company has established a reputation for its adventurous repertoire, often focusing on operas that address social issues, explore diverse perspectives, and push the boundaries of traditional operatic presentation. This approach has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal following, positioning Opera Parallèle as a vital contributor to the operatic landscape.
World Premiere: "Salt & Spirit" Ignites the Season
Kicking off the 2026-27 season will be the highly anticipated world premiere of "Salt & Spirit." This new work has been developed and will be performed by the acclaimed tenor Victor Ryan Robertson and the accomplished arranger/pianist Adrianne Duncan, in close collaboration with Opera Parallèle Creative Director Brian Staufenbiel. The genesis of "Salt & Spirit" lies in a desire to explore themes deeply rooted in personal experience and cultural heritage, translated into the operatic form. While specific details of the narrative are being closely guarded, the involvement of Robertson, a celebrated operatic artist known for his powerful stage presence and interpretive depth, suggests a work of significant emotional resonance. Duncan’s expertise in arrangement and piano performance hints at an intimate and potentially virtuosic musical tapestry.
The collaborative development process with Staufenbiel, who has been instrumental in shaping the visual and conceptual identity of many of Opera Parallèle’s productions, indicates that "Salt & Spirit" will likely be a visually engaging and thematically cohesive experience. The company’s history of presenting world premieres, such as the critically lauded "Slavery and the Slave Trade" and "The Companion," demonstrates their commitment to fostering new voices and narratives within the opera world. The success of these previous commissions suggests that "Salt & Spirit" is poised to be a significant addition to the contemporary operatic canon.
Performance Dates for "Salt & Spirit":
November 14 – 21, 2026
West Coast Premiere: "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly" Takes Flight
Following the premiere of "Salt & Spirit," Opera Parallèle will present the West Coast debut of Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer’s acclaimed opera, "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly." This production will be further enhanced by a newly created chamber orchestration by Ben Foskett, a commission specifically for Opera Parallèle. This adaptation promises a fresh and intimate interpretation of the poignant story, which is based on the memoir of Jean-Dominique Bauby, a former editor of French Elle magazine who suffered a massive stroke and was left almost entirely paralyzed. Bauby’s memoir, dictated word by word by blinking his left eyelid, became a testament to the power of the human mind and spirit to transcend physical limitations.
The opera has been lauded for its sensitive and evocative portrayal of Bauby’s internal world, his memories, and his profound connection to his loved ones, all while navigating the immense challenges of locked-in syndrome. The original orchestral score by Talbot has been praised for its ability to capture both the vastness of Bauby’s inner landscape and the stark reality of his physical confinement. The decision to commission a new chamber orchestration by Foskett signifies Opera Parallèle’s commitment to tailoring the operatic experience to the specific acoustics and artistic vision of their productions. This often allows for a more nuanced and direct engagement between the performers and the audience.
Nicole Paiement, a conductor renowned for her insightful interpretations of contemporary opera, will lead the orchestra. Brian Staufenbiel, whose directorial vision has consistently brought innovative and compelling stagings to Opera Parallèle, will helm this new production. Their combined expertise suggests a deeply moving and visually arresting realization of this powerful story, offering Bay Area audiences a unique opportunity to experience this significant contemporary opera. The opera’s themes of resilience, the endurance of the human spirit, and the profound impact of memory and imagination are likely to resonate deeply with audiences, especially in the context of a chamber setting that can amplify the emotional intimacy of the narrative.
Performance Dates for "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly":
March 11 – 14, 2027
West Coast Debut: "Taking Up Serpents" Explores Faith and Family
The 2026-27 season will culminate with the West Coast debut of Kamala Sankaram and Jerre Dye’s chamber opera, "Taking Up Serpents." This compelling work delves into the complex dynamics of faith, family, and community within a Pentecostal church setting. Sankaram, an Indian American composer known for her innovative and genre-bending approach to opera, and Dye, a librettist whose work often explores the intricacies of human relationships, have crafted an opera that is both spiritually charged and emotionally raw.
"Taking Up Serpents" has garnered attention for its unflinching portrayal of the challenges and triumphs of its characters, exploring themes of doubt, devotion, and the search for belonging. The opera’s setting within a specific religious community provides a rich backdrop for examining universal questions about belief, sacrifice, and the often-turbulent journey of self-discovery. The opera’s ability to engage with deeply personal and spiritual matters while maintaining a dramatic intensity has made it a noteworthy addition to the contemporary operatic repertoire.
As with "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly," Nicole Paiement will conduct the orchestra and singers, ensuring a musically rich and dramatically compelling performance. Brian Staufenbiel will once again lend his directorial expertise to create a new production specifically for this opera, promising to translate the intricate spiritual and emotional landscape of the work into a compelling visual experience. The choice to present "Taking Up Serpents" highlights Opera Parallèle’s commitment to showcasing operas that offer diverse cultural and religious perspectives, enriching the operatic landscape with stories that might otherwise remain unheard.
Performance Dates for "Taking Up Serpents":
March 2027
Broader Context and Artistic Vision
The selection of these three works for Opera Parallèle’s 2026-27 season is a strategic reflection of the company’s core mission. By juxtaposing a world premiere with two significant West Coast debuts, Opera Parallèle demonstrates a commitment to both nurturing new artistic voices and introducing groundbreaking contemporary operas to a wider audience. The thematic threads that weave through these productions – identity, resilience, spirituality, and human connection – are central to understanding the human experience, and opera, in its unique capacity to blend music, drama, and visual art, offers a powerful medium for their exploration.
The company’s sustained success and artistic growth can be attributed to a consistent vision championed by Artistic Director Nicole Paiement. Her leadership has fostered an environment where artistic risk-taking is encouraged, and where the collaborative spirit between composers, librettists, directors, and performers is paramount. The involvement of Creative Director Brian Staufenbiel in multiple productions further solidifies the company’s commitment to a holistic and integrated artistic approach, where the visual and conceptual elements are as crucial as the musical and dramatic.
The commissioning of a new chamber orchestration for "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly" is a testament to Opera Parallèle’s adaptability and their understanding of how to present operatic works in ways that are both artistically faithful and economically viable, particularly for mid-sized companies. This approach allows for greater flexibility in performance venues and can create a more intimate and engaging experience for the audience.
The inclusion of "Salt & Spirit," "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly," and "Taking Up Serpents" in a single season suggests a deliberate effort to offer audiences a multifaceted exploration of the human condition. From the personal narrative of "Salt & Spirit" to the profound introspection of "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly" and the complex spiritual and familial dynamics of "Taking Up Serpents," the season promises a rich tapestry of stories that speak to the enduring power of opera to connect, challenge, and inspire. Opera Parallèle’s 2026-27 season is poised to be a landmark event, further cementing its reputation as a forward-thinking and vital institution in the American operatic landscape.
