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
Jarrod Lee Librettist
Librettist and Baritone, Jarrod Lee hails from Alabama. His works include commissions by the Washington National Opera’s American Opera Initiative with composer B. E. Boykin, the Alliance for New Music-Theatre called Journey to You with composer Dr. Timothy Amukele and Voices of Zion with composer Ronald Walton, and commissions by In Series named Spirit Moves with composer Dr. Timothy Amukele and Black Flute which is a deconstruction of The Magic Flute in collaboration with playwright Sybil Roberts. Future works include a commission by Finger Lakes Opera with composer B.E. Boykin. Jarrod creates works that are rooted in the experience of being Black, Gay and American; adding to the canon of stories written by Black Americans which are rarely seen on the operatic stage. In addition to performing and writing, Jarrod is a co-founder of the Black Classical Music Archive which strives to preserve and lift everything Black in Classical Music.
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Commissioned Stories
Journey to You
Composer: Dr. Timothy AmukeleLyricist: Jarrod Lee
Commissioned by Alliance for New Music-Theatre
Premiere: Video in 2021, LIVE 2022
Youtube Link: Journey to You
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Black Flute (adaptation/reimagined of Magic Flute)
Composer: MozartLibrettist: Jarrod Lee
Playwright: Sybil Roberts
Commissioned by In Series, D.C.
Premiere: 2022
Link: Black Flute
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Voices of Zion
Composer: Ronald “Trey” WaltonLibrettist Playwright: Jarrod Lee
Commissioned by Alliance for New Music-Theatre
Premiere: May 2022, prospective remount 2023 in D.C.
Link to info: Voices of Zion
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See Your Equal (will become one in an art song set)
Composer: Ronald “Trey” WaltonLyricist: Jarrod Lee
Submitted to the George Shirley Competition (composition art song category)
Premiere: May 2022
Link: See Your Equal
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Spirit Moves
Spirit Moves
Composer: Dr. Timothy AmukeleLibrettist: Jarrod Lee
Commissioned by In Series, D.C.
Premiere: September 2022
Link: TBD
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American Opera Initiative
Composer: B. E. BoykinLibrettist: Jarrod Lee
Commissioned by Washington National Opera (AOI)
Premiere: Jan. 2023
Link: American Opera Initiative 2022-2023
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Split Second Life
Composer: tbdLibrettist: Jarrod Lee in collaboration with Jim Lieberthal
Libretto excerpts commissioned by Jim Lieberthal
Commissioned: TBD
Premiere: TBD
Link: TBD
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Two Corners
Composer: B.E. BoykinLibrettist: Jarrod Lee
Commissioned: Finger Lakes Opera
Premiere: 2024
Link: Opera America awards Finger Lakes Opera
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Delta King's Blues
Composer: Damien GeterLibrettist: Jarrod Lee
Commissioned: tbd
Premiere: tbd
Link:
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