SUNDER
Music by Nailah Nombeko | Libretto by Alicia Haymer
In Nailah Nombeko and Alicia Haymer’s new opera, Sunder, heartfelt chants ring out in a small town that’s had enough of police criminalizing the poor. White protestors are fighting for the freedom of Black people who have been arrested for petty crimes and given astronomical bail. However, turmoil threatens to come between two friends at the center of the movement. The protestors must decide if they should remain peaceful, or amp up their efforts with force.
Meanwhile, a Black police officer struggles to find his authenticity in a hotbed of justice, race and morality. What will become of a movement, once mighty, that loses its way because of a need for power?
Learn more about the creation and performance of Sunder immediately after the performance. Historian and author, Chris Haley, will moderate a discussion with the creators Nailah Nombeko and Alicia Haymer, and cast members Zyda Culpepper and Jazmine Olwalia. Special guest, Annapolis City Alderman DaJuan Gay will bring his insight from a local perspective.
Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 7:30 PM
Maryland Hall | 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD
Annapolis Opera is requiring audience members to be masked at all events, regardless of their vaccination status.
Annapolis Opera is following the COVID-19 safety policies put in place by Maryland Hall. Please be sure to review their current policies before arriving for the event. Click here to see Maryland Hall’s current COVID-19 safety plan.
SUNDER CREATIVE TEAM
SUNDER CAST
V. Savoy McIlwain
Officer Jones
Jazmine Olwalia
Bev Jones
Zyda Culpepper
Nomi Jones
Matthew Payne
Aaron
Henrique Carvalho
Jake
Connor Locke
Michelle
Clare Lillig
Stacey
Francesca Napolitano
Lynn
Rhiannon Vaughn
Samantha
Michael Butler
Terrance
Morgan Paige
Joy
Casey Germain
Officer Smith
SUNDER: A BEHIND-THE-SCENES FILM
Composer: Nailah Nombeko
Librettist: Alicia Haymer
Stage Director: Amanda Consol
Musical Director: Jonathan King
Videographer: Antonino d’Urzo, Opusrite
Co-produced with Annapolis Opera, the University of Maryland School of Music’s Maryland Opera Studio shares a behind-the-scenes film in advance of the premiere of this season’s rescheduled New Work Reading: Sunder. This preview film gives a backstage look into last semester’s opera rehearsal process in preparation for the live performance of this work in August 2021.
Premieres Friday, August 27, 2021 at 7 PM
Available through Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 12 AM
*Virtual Event*