Project In Brief

  • Metropolis Ensemble co-produced and provided creative and development support for a new opera and album from composer Christopher Cerrone and librettist Stephanie Fleischmann.

  • The New York Times named the studio recording one of the Best Classical Albums of 2023: “A vividly immersive thriller... not a word or note is without purpose, and both are captured, if not enhanced, in this richly produced recording.”

  • The opera’s sold-out New York Premiere at Prototype Festival was lauded by Broadway World, New York Times, Sequenza 21, and more. “A triumph and among the finest works at this year’s festival.” (Observer)

 
 

Commissioning Project

2015
  • Metropolis provided key incubation investments and development support for the commissioning and presentation of this bold new work, in collaboration with Christopher Cerrone, Stephanie Fleischmann, Pittsburgh Opera, and Los Angeles Opera.
 
 

Opera-In-Development Concert

October 12, 2019
  • Metropolis Ensemble presented an early iteration of In A Grove at MASS MoCA in collaboration with producer Cath Britton, and director Mary Birnbaum prior to its world premiere with Pittsburgh Opera in 2022.
 
 

Opera World Premiere

February 19—March 3, 2022
  • Pittsburgh Opera presented the World Premiere of In A Grove with director Mary Birnbaum and conductor Antony Walker.
  • "Alluringly and dramatically hypnotic" (Wall Street Journal)
  • "Rarely does a new opera emerge so perfectly formed, let alone presented in a production as musically and visually stunning" (Classical Voice North America)
 
 

Studio Album Release

July 7, 2023
  • In A Circle Records released Metropolis Ensemble's debut opera recording with Mike Tierney at Shiny Things Studios and Bunker Studio in Brooklyn.
  • The recording utilized overdubbing, multi-tracking, close-micing, compression, and other studio techniques to create a brand-new sonic world, entirely different from the one created on stage.
  • The New York Times named In A Grove one of the best classical music albums of 2023. Gramophone, BBC Music, Cultural Attaché, OperaWire, NPR, and VAN Magazine published glowing reviews.
 
 

Prototype Festival

January 16–19, 2025
  • The sold-out New York Premiere was directed by Mary Birnbaum with artistic director Andrew Cyr, conductors Raquel Acevedo Klein and Luke Poeppel.
  • “The instrumental work of the Metropolis Ensemble couldn’t have been better.” (Broadway World)
  • Co-Produced by the Pittsburgh Opera and Metropolis Ensemble. Co-Presented by La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club.
 
 

Opera Saratoga Summer Festival

May 28-29, 2025
  • A site-specific outdoor installation at Ferndell Pavilion (Saratoga Spa State Park) will be presented by Opera Saratoga with an expanded cast of singers, directed by Mary Birnbaum, and conducted by Luke Poeppel.
 
 
 

More Projects

Take an in-depth look at Metropolis Ensemble projects over the years.