Sunder

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

Sunder Annapolis Opera

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 Nailah Nombeko
Alicia Haymer Sunder
Amanda Consol Sunder
Jonathan King Sunder

Nailah Nombeko
Composer

Alicia Haymer
Librettist

Amanda Consol
Stage Director

Jonathan King
Music Director

SUNDER CAST

VaShawn McIlwain-Lightfoot Sunder
Jazmine Olwalia Sunder
Zyda Culpepper Sunder
Matthew Payne Sunder
Henrique Carvalho
Connor Locke

V. Savoy McIlwain
Officer Jones

Jazmine Olwalia
Bev Jones

Zyda Culpepper
Nomi Jones

Henrique Carvalho
Jake

Connor Locke
Michelle

Clare Lillig Sunder
Francesa Napolitano
Rhiannon Vaughn
Michael Butler
Morgan Paige
Casey Germain

Clare Lillig
Stacey

Francesca Napolitano
Lynn

Rhiannon Vaughn
Samantha

Michael Butler
Terrance

Morgan Paige
Joy

Casey Germain
Officer Smith

Annapolis Opera Sunder

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*