Salute to the Arts

THE ARTS AND NEW ORLEANS are inextricably linked. They’re like beignets and powdered sugar. Red beans and rice. Crawfish and springtime. You simply can’t have one without the other.

The city’s artistic heritage is known the world over. Most folks know New Orleans birthed the quintessential American sound that became jazz. But the Crescent City can claim other firsts. In 1796, it hosted the first documented performance of an opera (It was “Sylvain,” if you’re curious.). A century later, Vitascope Hall opened its doors on Canal Street as the nation’s first fixed-seat movie theater. Then, some 100 years later, the New Orleans Philharmonic was established as the oldest full-time, musician-governed orchestra in the United States.

It’s an impressive legacy to be sure, and one we love to celebrate on the pages of Inside Northside. Our annual Cultural Arts section highlights some of New Orleans’ most renowned artistic talents. Here, we offer a look at the upcoming seasons of the New Orleans Ballet Association, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and New Orleans Opera Association.

Mark your calendars now. You don’t want to miss these performances.

Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE will perform at NOCCA.

New Orleans Ballet Association

Jenny Hamilton didn’t mind rearranging the New Orleans Ballet Association’s schedule when it received a singular opportunity that will stand as another first for New Orleans. Indeed, NOBA’s executive director for the past 24 years jumped at the chance to host the Kyiv City Ballet.

The ballet company left Ukraine in February for a tour of France, but has been unable to return home due to the Russian invasion. The October performance will be the Kyiv’s first appearance in the United States and one that Hamilton is happy to host.

“We support these artists while they are stranded and honoredto welcome them to New Orleans in October,” she said.

Highlights of the 2022-2023 Season

A celebration of NOBA’s partnership with the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts with a performance by Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, a generational choreographer and dance company, in November. Brown will perform a new work, “Equality of Night and Day” along with his iconic work “Grace,” at NOCCA’s beautiful Lupin Hall.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo returns in January. This physical comedy features an all-male drag ballet troupe that parodies the conventions of romantic and classical ballet. The “Trocks” have toured the world, with prolonged engagements in major cities. In 2008, they performed for Prince Charles at the Royal Variety Performance.

Monix, a New Orleans favorite, will return during an exclusive state tour in March. Moses Pendleton, founder and choreographer, has used his fantastical and extraordinary imagination to bring his interpretation of Alice in Wonderland to life. Momix combines acrobatics, dance, gymnastics, mime, props and more in a theatrical setting that brings magic to the stage.

The State Ballet of Georgia is on an exclusive tour and has chosen New Orleans as one of the four cities to visit this season. Planned for April, this production will partner with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

For 31 years, NOBA has provided tuition-free dance classes for the community. This year is no different when 1,000 classes will be held for ages 4-80+ at 13 community centers. Classes are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. NOBA also offers a professional program for students between 7 and 18 who are interested in careers in dance. This is a year-round, rigorous academic program that teaches students life skills like discipline, focus, determination and time management. Some programs are taught by worldrenowned choreographers like Trey McIntyre. NOBA offers various other programs and summer camps, including a senior fitness program and a Parkinson’s program. Learn more about performances or classes at nobadance.com.

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will return with the sunset Symphony on the Mandeville Lakefront.

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

After 17 years as the Louisiana Philharmonic’s musical director and principal conductor, Carlos Miguel Prieto is stepping away after this season. Prieto joined LPO in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina and is credited with helping the LPO grow artistically and developing signature educational programs. >>

The 2022-2023 season will celebrate Prieto’s contributions by hosting guest conductors from across the country.

The season kicks off on Sept. 15 with Prieto conducting Mahler’s Titan Symphony at the Orpheum Theatre. The debut will also feature the world premiere of a LPO-commissioned work by Grammy-nominated composer Juan Pablo Contreras and Paquito D’Rivera’s Concierto Venezolano played by Pacho Flores.

During the season, Prieto will also lead Ravel & Debussy, Britten & Elgar, The Violins of Hope, Haydn’s The Seasons, Beethoven 7 as well as the season finale, Copland: Symphony No. 3.

Other notable conductors scheduled for the season include:

Matt Kraemer, music director of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, will lead the orchestra in Fountains of Rome and Tchaikovsky 6 in September.

Robert Moody of the Memphis Symphony, will lead Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition in October.

Vinay Parameswaran, formerly of the Cleveland Orchestra and Nashville Symphony, will conduct Dvorak and Price Symphony in November.

Rei Hotoda, music director of the Fresno Philharmonic, will whisk the audience away with Scheherazade and more in March.

Kalena Bovell, a conductor of international acclaim, will bring Sibelius No. 2 to the stage in March.

Highlights of the 2022-2023 Season

LPO will also return to the Northshore inOctober with the ever-popular Sunset Symphonyat Mandeville’s Lakefront Park. Other Northshoreperformances include Dvorak: Symphony No. 8 inNovember and Britten & Elgar in January, both atCovington High School and Peter and the Wolf inMarch at St. Paul’s School.

December brings two family entertainmentprograms, including Home Alone in Concert at theMahalia Jackson Theater and the Orpheum Sessions:Holiday Spectacular that features seasonal favorites.

In February, LPO brings The Music of John Williams including movie tunes from E.T. and Jaws at the Orpheum Theater.

In April, Swing in the Oaks at City Park willbring student performers together with the LPO’s 67musicians to perform an array of music, includingan operatic repertoire and John Williams scores.

LPO also has extensive educational programsincluding Young People’s Concerts, Early Explorers,Music for Life, Soul Strings and more. Both thetuition-free programs and open rehearsals helplocal youth learn to appreciate the beauty of music.Learn more or buy tickets at lpomusic.com.

New Orleans Opera Association will perform a version of The Barber of Seville set in the French Quarter of antebellum New Orleans.

New Orleans Opera Association

Expect the unexpected during the NewOrleans Opera Association’s 2022-2023 season.

”You can expect a dazzling selection of fully staged, live performances that offer every bit of magic, spectacle and joy you have come to expect from New Orleans Opera,” said Clare Burovac, NOOA’s general and artistic director.

With international performers, high-profile American singers and a few New Orleanians, too, audiences will be surprised by some of the interpretations of old favorites.

Based on Pierre Beaumarchais’ French comedy for the ages, this version of The Barber of Seville is set in the French Quarter of antebellum New Orleans. The brand new vision will take the stage with a diverse cast on Sept. 30 and Oct. 2 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater.

In November, Hansel and Gretel will provide an amazing opportunity to dazzle children with incredibly beautiful music provided by Meechot Marrero, a Puerto Rican soprano flying in from Germany where she sings with an opera house.

Schnyder’s Charlie Parker’s Yardbird is about jazz great Charlie Parker’s dream to bridge the two worlds of classical and jazz music and takes the stage in January.

Finally, if you think you have seen all Madame Butterfly has to offer, you’ll think again when you see NOOA production in March. Aria Umezawa, a Japanese- Canadian stage director, will direct the performance that features Hiromi Omura, a French-Japanese soprano, and Bryan Hymel, a New Orleanian tenor with an international career.

The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra provides the music for each of these incredible performances.

Before each Friday evening and Sunday afternoon opera performance, ticket holders can attend a free, 90-minute Pre- Party featuring live music, giveaways and photos. After each opera, cast members discuss the opera production process.

NOOA continues to present opera throughout the community with its Community Conversations during production week. Those on the Northshore are familiar with Opera on Tap at the Abita Brew Pub. NOOA also offers community education opportunities. A partnership with the Marsalis Center, Career Day teaches middle and high-school students about careers in the arts. The ALLONS Zoom series is for adult/college participants to watch free online lectures. Student Night Out allows students and chaperones to attend the final dress rehearsal of an opera. Masterclasses feature NOOA and international artists teaching local university students. The J. Donald Wood Competition offers regional high school singers an opportunity to compete for a chance to apply for the Wood Advancement Grant.

To buy tickets, please visit neworleansopera.org.