Writer
”at its most successful in the lyrics of those arias that focus on the personal concerns of its characters, and that reflect the resilience of Black folks and their allies” – Gregory Ford, D.C. Metro Theatre Arts for Voices of Zion
“the narrative affect was more akin to oral storytelling than ‘traditional’ opera.” – Basil Considine, Twin Cities Arts Reader for Oshun
Jarrod Lee Writer/Librettist
Catalog of Stories
Two Corners
Composer: B.E. Boykin
Librettist: Jarrod Lee
Commissioned: Finger Lakes Opera
Premiere: June 2024
Link to Tickets for June 28, 2024
Link to Tickets for June 30, 2024
Link to Creative Team, Cast, and Production for Two Corners
Link to Opera America awards Finger Lakes Opera
Synopsis: Florine Boykin leads her childhood friend Sarah down memory lane by the nostalgic power of a radio to examine and review their friendship in the midst of racial tension surrounding them in the segregated and rural town of Wedowee, Alabama. Their bond is tested as they revisit memories and confront their shared past from different perspectives. Can their friendship survive the mid-twentieth century racial disparities, or was their friendship a part of their imagination?
Inquiries for producing or commissions to expand the opera?
UIA Talent Agency / Aaron Sanko / [email protected]
UIA Talent Agency / Shawn Marie Jeffery / [email protected]
Title: TBD
Composer: Timothy Amukele
Librettist: Jarrod Lee
Premiere: June 17, 2024
The 96-Hour Opera Project Showcase is open to the public, and five more world-premiere mini-operas are presented to the judging panel in an exciting race for the Antinori Foundation Grand prize.
The Atlanta Opera welcomes an exceptional group of judges to review and determine the winners of a $10,000 award and an Atlanta Opera commission.
Kandake
Librettist: Jarrod Lee
Commissioned by Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Premiere: Feb. 2025
A one eyed warrior queen from Kush, modern day Sudan, who cuts the head off of a Caesar Augustus statue and buries it in a temple called victory then sends golden arrows to Augustus to receive as a gift or weapons should Rome decide to invade the Kingdom of Kush.
Link to OTSL New Works Collective
Inquiries for producing or commissions to expand the opera?
UIA Talent Agency / Aaron Sanko / [email protected]
UIA Talent Agency / Shawn Marie Jeffery / [email protected]
American Opera Initiative
Librettist: Jarrod Lee
Commissioned by Washington National Opera (AOI)
Premiere: Jan. 2023
Link: American Opera Initiative 2022-2023 (AOI)
AOI production shots: Left to Right: Principal Conductor Evan Rogister and the Washington National Opera/KC Orchestra, Christian Simmons as Olodumare, Daniel J. Smith as Shango, Katerina Burton as Oshun and Anthony P. Ballard as Esu. Photo by Scott Suchman
Oshun is a journey of sacrifice, self-love and redemption displayed in the face of those who would deny it. From Oshun’s story we learn that, with help from those who love us well, we can believe and manifest our inner strength even in our darkest hour.
Inquiries for producing or commissions to expand the opera?
UIA Talent Agency / Aaron Sanko / [email protected]
UIA Talent Agency / Shawn Marie Jeffery / [email protected]
Spirit Moves
Spirit Moves
Librettist: Jarrod Lee
Commissioned by In Series, D.C.
Premiere: September 2022, remounted in 2023
Link: Spirit Moves (hosted on INvision)
Conceptual Illustration by Tommy Jackson, Graphic Design by Corinne Hayes
Inquiries for producing or commissions to expand the opera?
UIA Talent Agency / Aaron Sanko / [email protected]
UIA Talent Agency / Shawn Marie Jeffery / [email protected]
See Your Equal (will become one in an art song set)
Lyricist: Jarrod Lee
Placed 3rd in the George Shirley Competition (composition art song category)
Premiere: May 2022
Link: See Your Equal
Pianist: Dr. Kathryn Goodson
Mezzo: Mayah Paden
Text: I want to pour love into a Man unapologetically without hesitation. I want to be the clearest reflection of the work he’s put in, to being a beautiful Man, so that when he sees me he sees his
equal.
Voices of Zion
Librettist Playwright: Jarrod Lee
Commissioned by Alliance for New Music-Theatre
Premiere: May 2022, prospective remount 2023 in D.C.
Photo: Sheri Jackson and Roz White. Photo taken by Alliance for New Music Theatre
Link to info: Voices of Zion
Black Flute (adaptation/reimagined of Magic Flute)
Librettist: Jarrod Lee
Playwright: Sybil Roberts
Commissioned by IN Series, D.C.
Premiere: 2022
Link: Black Flute
YouTube Link for Pamina’s Aria “Ah, I feel” aka “Ah ich fühl’s” sung by Melissa Wimbush
Photo by IN Series from left to right: William Powell the III, Melissa Wimbish, Elise Jenkins, Kristin Young, Carl DuPont and Edward Graves
Mozart’s magical and transformational MAGIC FLUTE comes to life filmed in Washington DC’s iconic neighborhoods. A luminous version by local playwright Sybil Williams and librettist Jarrod Lee* puts new words to unforgettable music crying out that black life matters and exploring what it is to be young, Black, and gifted in opera today. – IN Series
KenYatta Rogers directs a young national cast including artists in the Cardwell Dawson Fellowship:
Carl DuPont as Papageno
Edward Graves as Tamino
Elise Christina Jenkins as Papagena/Third lady
William Powell III as Sarastro
Melissa Wimbish as Pamina/Second Lady
and Kristin Renee Young as Queen of the Night/First Lady with Jabari Exum
Music Direction by Dr. Elizabeth Hill
Directed by KenYatta Rogers, assisted by Michelle Proctor Rogers
Safiya Muthaliff, Stage Manager
Zoe Tompkins, Lighting Coordinator
Videography by DMV Productions
Journey to You
Lyricist: Jarrod Lee
Commissioned by Alliance for New Music-Theatre
Premiere: Video in 2021, LIVE 2022
Youtube Link: Journey to You
Stories That Need Your Support
Goodnight Ruby
Synopsis: Charlotte, a caretaker in a hospice home, prepares Ruby for bed while participating in Ruby’s plot to remember her first kiss. Ruby’s tactic and only weapon is a melody from her childhood, played by a carnival band one summer night under the stars.
Characters:
Samantha: A mother who is going home to take care of her son.
Ruby: A lovely lady diagnosed with Alzheimer and doesn’t care much for Samantha.
Charlotte: Her grandmother died recently.
Split-Second/LIFE
Librettist: Jarrod Lee
Scenario: Jim Lieberthal
Commissioned: TBD
Premiere: TBD
Link: coming soon…
Photo by Alex Jalapa
A deadly crisis triggers a series of events revealing truths within a triangle of love, each with different sexual orientations, exploding into a vortex of circumstances forcing consequences that transcend time and realities.
Inquiries for producing or commissions to expand the opera?
UIA Talent Agency / Aaron Sanko / [email protected]
UIA Talent Agency / Shawn Marie Jeffery / [email protected]
Thank You!
Donors toward Videography
Alexandra Christoforakis
Amy G. Kozak
Andy Oshiro
Brian J. Shaw
Chris Snowden
Colleen Daly Eberhardt
Corinne M. Hayes
Dana Morgan
David Roberts
Jasmine Wiggington
Jim Williams
Kayla Hill
Lynn Bayer
Paula Newberry
Thea Tullman