In Gaetano Donizetti’s Anna Bolena, we witness the unraveling of a queen. Betrayed by her husband, discarded by the court that once revered her, and condemned by a system designed to silence her, Anne Boleyn’s fall is operatic in scale—and achingly human in impact.

After her execution, Henry VIII attempted to wipe her from history, destroying many of her books and letters, and nearly all contemporary portraits of her, save one. However, nearly 500 years after her death, and almost 200 years after Donizetti set her story to music, Anne’s voice still echoes. Why?

Assembling a collection of pieces for a concert program is designing a musical journey that we will go on together. There is an additional layer of artistic interpretation and perspective in placing works in conversation (or in contrast) with each other. 

We are less than two weeks away from the Pittsburgh premiere of The Little Prince, an opera for all ages based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beloved novella of the same name. The Little Prince has charmed readers for decades with its poetic exploration of love, loss, and the wisdom of children. This timeless tale has captivated audiences worldwide, resonating across cultures and generations. But how did this philosophical children's book make its way from the page to the opera stage?

Let’s explore the fascinating journey of The Little Prince—from its creation by a wartime pilot in exile to Rachel Portman’s transformative adaptation. Discover how this iconic work has continued to evolve, enchanting audiences anew with every artistic reincarnation.