Come join members of Reading Choral Society and Kutztown University Orchestra in Carl Orff’s thrilling and percussive masterpiece, setting 12th century poetry to 20th century music.

Olivia Prendergast, soprano

Antonio Watts, baritone

Augustine Mercante, countertenor

For tickets, click here.

Come join members of Reading Choral Society and Kutztown University Orchestra in Carl Orff’s thrilling and percussive masterpiece, setting 12th century poetry to 20th century music.

Olivia Prendergast, soprano

Antonio Watts, baritone

Augustine Mercante, countertenor

For tickets, click here.

Joining Opera Philadelphia for a second time this season, Olivia will cover leading lady, Thorn Rose, in this world premiere by Gregory Spears.

Inspired by the writings of Robert Walser and others
Directed by Jenny Loons

In this opera, the chorus has the starring role. Composer Gregory Spears, whose music has been called “astonishingly beautiful” (The New York Times), “coolly entrancing” (The New Yorker), and “some of the most beautifully unsettling music to appear in recent memory” (The Boston Globe), creates a labyrinthine soundscape to accompany a dream-like rendering of the fairytale “Sleeping Beauty,” inspired by modernist writer Robert Walser. As the Opera Philadelphia Chorus sings itself in and out of slumber, the voices pull us into a liminal space where time is both fractured and cyclical. Conceived with and directed by the transformative Jenny Koons, this visually dazzling world premiere activates a collective voice to question the fragile line between waking and dreaming. Corrado Rovaris conducts.

All tickets are Pick Your Price, starting at $11. Any amount above $11 helps support other operagoers and the work we present on stage.

Joining Opera Philadelphia for a second time this season, Olivia will cover leading lady, Thorn Rose, in this world premiere by Gregory Spears.

Inspired by the writings of Robert Walser and others
Directed by Jenny Loons

In this opera, the chorus has the starring role. Composer Gregory Spears, whose music has been called “astonishingly beautiful” (The New York Times), “coolly entrancing” (The New Yorker), and “some of the most beautifully unsettling music to appear in recent memory” (The Boston Globe), creates a labyrinthine soundscape to accompany a dream-like rendering of the fairytale “Sleeping Beauty,” inspired by modernist writer Robert Walser. As the Opera Philadelphia Chorus sings itself in and out of slumber, the voices pull us into a liminal space where time is both fractured and cyclical. Conceived with and directed by the transformative Jenny Koons, this visually dazzling world premiere activates a collective voice to question the fragile line between waking and dreaming. Corrado Rovaris conducts.

All tickets are Pick Your Price, starting at $11. Any amount above $11 helps support other operagoers and the work we present on stage.

Joining Opera Philadelphia for a second time this season, Olivia will cover leading lady, Thorn Rose, in this world premiere by Gregory Spears.

Inspired by the writings of Robert Walser and others
Directed by Jenny Loons

In this opera, the chorus has the starring role. Composer Gregory Spears, whose music has been called “astonishingly beautiful” (The New York Times), “coolly entrancing” (The New Yorker), and “some of the most beautifully unsettling music to appear in recent memory” (The Boston Globe), creates a labyrinthine soundscape to accompany a dream-like rendering of the fairytale “Sleeping Beauty,” inspired by modernist writer Robert Walser. As the Opera Philadelphia Chorus sings itself in and out of slumber, the voices pull us into a liminal space where time is both fractured and cyclical. Conceived with and directed by the transformative Jenny Koons, this visually dazzling world premiere activates a collective voice to question the fragile line between waking and dreaming. Corrado Rovaris conducts.

All tickets are Pick Your Price, starting at $11. Any amount above $11 helps support other operagoers and the work we present on stage.

Adding to the incredible setlist of the Big Ears Festival, the Crossing performs David Lang’s Grammy-nominated masterwork, poor hymnal. A part of the original crew who recorded and brought this piece to life, Olivia joins the ensemble for the fifth time to tour poor hymnal.

Click here to come, hear, now.

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Having premiered dozens of new works by many of the world’s leading contemporary composers and staging ambitious festivals built around socially relevant themes, The Crossing has become one of the United States’ premier vocal ensembles. They are consummate technicians who, across their two decades, are also aware of the times in which they work. poor hymnal—a 14-piece song cycle by David Lang, premiered during the holidays of 2023—is a perfect example of The Crossing’s dual pillars of excellence and outreach. Built on texts from scripture and political speeches by the likes of Ghandi and Obama, these slowly unfurling hymns are poignant reminders to not only observe the conditions that other people endure but help whenever possible. It is timely work for times of seemingly boundless inequality.

Adding to the incredible setlist of the Big Ears Festival, the Crossing performs David Lang’s Grammy-nominated masterwork, poor hymnal. A part of the original crew who recorded and brought this piece to life, Olivia joins the ensemble for the fifth time to tour poor hymnal.

Click here to come, hear, now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Having premiered dozens of new works by many of the world’s leading contemporary composers and staging ambitious festivals built around socially relevant themes, The Crossing has become one of the United States’ premier vocal ensembles. They are consummate technicians who, across their two decades, are also aware of the times in which they work. poor hymnal—a 14-piece song cycle by David Lang, premiered during the holidays of 2023—is a perfect example of The Crossing’s dual pillars of excellence and outreach. Built on texts from scripture and political speeches by the likes of Ghandi and Obama, these slowly unfurling hymns are poignant reminders to not only observe the conditions that other people endure but help whenever possible. It is timely work for times of seemingly boundless inequality.

Branching out as a soloist with the Crossing, Olivia sings prominently in Harold Meltzer’s final masterpiece, You Are Who I Love with Sandbox Percussion at Stanford University.

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Sandbox Percussion joins The Crossing for composer Harold Meltzer and poet Aracelis Girmay’s You Are Who I Love, a new work focused on the everyday efforts of people finding ways to live in the catastrophes of our time. Both ensembles are entirely dedicated to new music: Sandbox Percussion has been called “exhilarating” by The New York Times and “utterly mesmerizing” by The Guardian, while the Philadelphia-based chorus The Crossing has won four Grammy Awards.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS.

Don’t miss one of the most iconic oratorios of all time as Handel’s Messiah is performed by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. This source of the familiar Hallelujah Chorus is one of music’s most powerful messages of faith. Featuring the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir under the direction of Eric Stark, artistic director, who also conducts the concert.

Eric Stark, Conductor

Olivia Prendergast, Soprano

Luthien Brackett, Mezzo-soprano

Isaiah Bell, Tenor

Stephen Salters, Baritone

Olivia joins the Crossing again in Christopher Cerrone’s new premiere and a revival of beloved and Grammy winning piece, Orche, by Caroline Shaw.

the world premiere of Christopher Cerrone’s Of being numerous
w/ Present Music, Milwaukee
w/ Caroline Shaw’s Ochre (2022, reprise)

We have long waited for a piece from Christopher Cerrone, and our collaboration with the adventurous musicians of Present Music brings us that opportunity—a new work, with dramatically relevant content, focusing on the poetry of Pulitzer Laureate and twice-exiled critic of the American government George Oppen, writing in a(nother) time of political tumult and fractured society. Chris has set five sections of Oppen’s great tome Of Being Numerous—with its vision of diverse voices creating unity to produce an emerging mythopoetic idea of what America is—juxtaposed with the thoughts of other American patriots who turn a challenging lens on this great experiment. Likewise, Caroline Shaw focuses her lens on our relationship to the earth in Ochre, a series of seven scenes, each pondering the earth on which we walk, and on which we depend.

Olivia joins the Crossing again in Christopher Cerrone’s new premiere and a revival of beloved and Grammy winning piece, Orche, by Caroline Shaw.

the world premiere of Christopher Cerrone’s Of being numerous
w/ Present Music, Milwaukee
w/ Caroline Shaw’s Ochre (2022, reprise)

We have long waited for a piece from Christopher Cerrone, and our collaboration with the adventurous musicians of Present Music brings us that opportunity—a new work, with dramatically relevant content, focusing on the poetry of Pulitzer Laureate and twice-exiled critic of the American government George Oppen, writing in a(nother) time of political tumult and fractured society. Chris has set five sections of Oppen’s great tome Of Being Numerous—with its vision of diverse voices creating unity to produce an emerging mythopoetic idea of what America is—juxtaposed with the thoughts of other American patriots who turn a challenging lens on this great experiment. Likewise, Caroline Shaw focuses her lens on our relationship to the earth in Ochre, a series of seven scenes, each pondering the earth on which we walk, and on which we depend.

Olivia joins the Crossing again this October for several incredible premieres. This concert is in partnership with Artcinia.

the world premiere of Nina Shekhar’s Tic-Talk
w/ Dynasty Battles, MIDI keyboard
w/ music of Kile Smith, Michael Gilbertson, and Anuj Bhutani

The Crossing’s first live performance of our 2024 pre-election video project, Cloud Anthem, on Richard Blanco’s poem that insists there is a way to come together, to measure the time “until we…” The world premiere of Kile Smith’s Let all the Strains of Joy (mingle in my last song), a gift to The Crossing, is heard alongside his earlier Rabindranath Tagore motet, and ancient Japanese words are heard in Anuj Bhutani's east wind melts the ice.. The anchor of the concert is a world premiere from 2023– 2024 Resident Composer Nina Shekhar. Nina’s Tic-Talk evolves from her experience as a child with vocal tics to an examination of language—specifically, its policing. Philadelphia pianist Dynasty Battles is featured as soloists on MIDI keyboard, which contributes to the extraordinary sound world of this contemporary piano concerto created by this uniquely imaginative composer. 

§ Artcinia partners with organizations like The Crossing in “a shared belief that everyone deserves access to the transformative power of the performing arts. Its flagship program Music in Your Neighborhood, in partnership with Partners for Sacred Places, brings community-driven, engaging, affordable performances to neighborhood spaces throughout Philadelphia and beyond, making the arts accessible to all.”

Olivia joins the Crossing again this October for several incredible premieres.

the world premiere of Nina Shekhar’s Tic-Talk
w/ Dynasty Battles, MIDI keyboard
w/ music of Kile Smith, Michael Gilbertson, and Anuj Bhutani

The Crossing’s first live performance of our 2024 pre-election video project, Cloud Anthem, on Richard Blanco’s poem that insists there is a way to come together, to measure the time “until we…” The world premiere of Kile Smith’s Let all the Strains of Joy (mingle in my last song), a gift to The Crossing, is heard alongside his earlier Rabindranath Tagore motet, and ancient Japanese words are heard in Anuj Bhutani's east wind melts the ice.. The anchor of the concert is a world premiere from 2023– 2024 Resident Composer Nina Shekhar. Nina’s Tic-Talk evolves from her experience as a child with vocal tics to an examination of language—specifically, its policing. Philadelphia pianist Dynasty Battles is featured as soloists on MIDI keyboard, which contributes to the extraordinary sound world of this contemporary piano concerto created by this uniquely imaginative composer. 

Olivia joins the East Passyunk Opera Project at Philadelphia City Hall to perform and evening of opera with tenor, Fran Daniel Laucerica and mezzo-soprano, Sarah Coit. There will be selections from Rigoletto, La fille du régiment, Lakmé, and Roméo et Juliette, among many others.

No tickets needed - this concert is free to the public!

For more information about the event, the program or EPOP, click here.

Olivia joins the Berks Opera Company as leading lady, Nina, in The Bear Prince.

Based on a Mexican folktale, “The Bear Prince” is a story for all ages, combining jazz and opera to reach wide audiences. Similar to Beauty and the Beast, a prince is turned into a bear by an evil witch and is cursed to his form until his true love can break the spell. A local woodcutter trespasses on the Bear’s land and as payment, he must give his daughter, Nina, to the Bear to marry. After they wed, the Bear Prince turns back into a human, but only for the night, and swears Nina to secrecy of his transformation. She breaks this promise, and must go on a perilous, long journey to find her prince at the Castle of Faith.

Nina: Olivia Prendergast

The Bear Prince: Luke Perkins

Woodcutter/Wizards: Jeremiah Sanders

Sister/Moon/Sun/Witch: Susannah Waddington

Composer/Conductor: Christopher Helsop

Director: Joel Gori

Olivia joins the Berks Opera Company as leading lady, Nina, in The Bear Prince.

Based on a Mexican folktale, “The Bear Prince” is a story for all ages, combining jazz and opera to reach wide audiences. Similar to Beauty and the Beast, a prince is turned into a bear by an evil witch and is cursed to his form until his true love can break the spell. A local woodcutter trespasses on the Bear’s land and as payment, he must give his daughter, Nina, to the Bear to marry. After they wed, the Bear Prince turns back into a human, but only for the night, and swears Nina to secrecy of his transformation. She breaks this promise, and must go on a perilous, long journey to find her prince at the Castle of Faith.

Nina: Olivia Prendergast

The Bear Prince: Luke Perkins

Woodcutter/Wizards: Jeremiah Sanders

Sister/Moon/Sun/Witch: Susannah Waddington

Composer/Conductor: Christopher Helsop

Director: Joel Gori

Olivia joins the Berks Opera Company as leading lady, Nina, in The Bear Prince.

Based on a Mexican folktale, “The Bear Prince” is a story for all ages, combining jazz and opera to reach wide audiences. Similar to Beauty and the Beast, a prince is turned into a bear by an evil witch and is cursed to his form until his true love can break the spell. A local woodcutter trespasses on the Bear’s land and as payment, he must give his daughter, Nina, to the Bear to marry. After they wed, the Bear Prince turns back into a human, but only for the night, and swears Nina to secrecy of his transformation. She breaks this promise, and must go on a perilous, long journey to find her prince at the Castle of Faith.

Nina: Olivia Prendergast

The Bear Prince: Luke Perkins

Woodcutter/Wizards: Jeremiah Sanders

Sister/Moon/Sun/Witch: Susannah Waddington

Composer/Conductor: Christopher Helsop

Director: Joel Gori

Olivia joins the Berks Opera Company as leading lady, Nina, in The Bear Prince.

Based on a Mexican folktale, “The Bear Prince” is a story for all ages, combining jazz and opera to reach wide audiences. Similar to Beauty and the Beast, a prince is turned into a bear by an evil witch and is cursed to his form until his true love can break the spell. A local woodcutter trespasses on the Bear’s land and as payment, he must give his daughter, Nina, to the Bear to marry. After they wed, the Bear Prince turns back into a human, but only for the night, and swears Nina to secrecy of his transformation. She breaks this promise, and must go on a perilous, long journey to find her prince at the Castle of Faith.

Nina: Olivia Prendergast

The Bear Prince: Luke Perkins

Woodcutter/Wizards: Jeremiah Sanders

Sister/Moon/Sun/Witch: Susannah Waddington

Composer/Conductor: Christopher Helsop

Director: Joel Gori

Olivia joins the Berks Opera Company as leading lady, Nina, in The Bear Prince.

Based on a Mexican folktale, “The Bear Prince” is a story for all ages, combining jazz and opera to reach wide audiences. Similar to Beauty and the Beast, a prince is turned into a bear by an evil witch and is cursed to his form until his true love can break the spell. A local woodcutter trespasses on the Bear’s land and as payment, he must give his daughter, Nina, to the Bear to marry. After they wed, the Bear Prince turns back into a human, but only for the night, and swears Nina to secrecy of his transformation. She breaks this promise, and must go on a perilous, long journey to find her prince at the Castle of Faith.

Nina: Olivia Prendergast

The Bear Prince: Luke Perkins

Woodcutter/Wizards: Jeremiah Sanders

Sister/Moon/Sun/Witch: Susannah Waddington

Composer/Conductor: Christopher Helsop

Director: Joel Gori

Olivia joins the Berks Opera Company as leading lady, Nina, in The Bear Prince.

Based on a Mexican folktale, “The Bear Prince” is a story for all ages, combining jazz and opera to reach wide audiences. Similar to Beauty and the Beast, a prince is turned into a bear by an evil witch and is cursed to his form until his true love can break the spell. A local woodcutter trespasses on the Bear’s land and as payment, he must give his daughter, Nina, to the Bear to marry. After they wed, the Bear Prince turns back into a human, but only for the night, and swears Nina to secrecy of his transformation. She breaks this promise, and must go on a perilous, long journey to find her prince at the Castle of Faith.

Nina: Olivia Prendergast

The Bear Prince: Luke Perkins

Woodcutter/Wizards: Jeremiah Sanders

Sister/Moon/Sun/Witch: Susannah Waddington

Composer/Conductor: Christopher Helsop

Director: Joel Gori

An extension of The Month of Moderns, Olivia sings with The Crossing again in New York City to perform Aaron Helgeson’s The Book of Never, with excerpts of Gavin Bryar’s new work, The Last Words of Immanuel Kant, as one of their featured soloists. She also joined them to record The Book of Never album.

The Book of Never, winner of a 2024 American Academy of Arts and Letters Award, is a choral exhortation based on the ancient Novgorod Codex – a wooden book of psalms from 999 A.D. owned by a monk who was sent as a missionary from Kyiv to the city of Novgorod (later annexed by Russia in 1478) and subsequently excommunicated for combining Pagan ritual with Orthodox Christianity. To save his culture, he poured layer after layer of wax over the book on which to write his liturgy, his alphabet, searing retaliations, and visions of the apocalypse.

Olivia joins The Crossing in their Month of Moderns concert, premiering Gavin Bryar’s new work, The Last Words of Immanuel Kant, as one of their featured soloists. Composed of nine movements, Donald Nally and ensemble bring excerpts from Immanuel Kant's writings to life in soaring musical lines.

Olivia will be Symphony 21’s featured artist for their April multi-media concert experience.

Symphony 21 concerts are a hybrid of many elements, combining a modern symphonic orchestra with synchronized lighting and visual animations. They blend genres of music for a diverse listening experience and interact with audiences through fun educational demonstrations.

Let's just say this is not your typical "orchestra" concert, and it's the first of its kind on the Eastern Shore! You don't want to miss this event! Family friendly and for all ages.

Click here for tickets!