BOSTON LYRIC OPERA AND OPERA PHILADELPHIA
THE ANONYMOUS LOVER
MUSIC BY JOSEPH BOLOGNE, CHEVALIER DE SAINT-GEORGES
LIBRETTO BY DESFONTAINES-LAVALLÉE

PANEL (in alphabetical order)
Dennis Whitehead Darling, Director
David Devan, General Director, President, Opera Philadelphia
Kirsten Greenidge, Playwright
Marc A. Scorca, Moderator, President, CEO, OPERA America
Bradley Vernatter, General Director, CEO, Boston Lyric Opera

ARTISTS
Brianna J. Robinson*, Soprano
Omar Najmi*, Tenor

Brendon Shapiro*, Piano

Boston Lyric Opera Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist Alumni

Yamaha is the official piano of Works & Process.

PROGRAM NOTES
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a comic love story for the ages! Written in 1780 by the virtuoso Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the chamber opera The Anonymous Lover tells the story of Léontine, a wealthy young widow disenchanted with the notion of love, who starts receiving letters from an anonymous admirer.

In this joyful new co-production by Boston Lyric Opera and Opera Philadelphia, Bologne’s stirring music is complemented by a fresh book adaptation from the pen of Obie Award-winning Boston playwright Kirsten Greenidge, mixing English dialogue with the original French singing. Don’t miss an evening of lighthearted mishaps, heartfelt melodies, and endearing characters that will inspire you to root for true love!

The third of Bologne’s six operas, The Anonymous Lover was his most successful opera, and the only one that has survived to this day. The work holds a significant place in the annals of music history, standing as one of the first known operas composed by a Black artist.

The Anonymous Lover runs for three performances at Boston Lyric Opera from February 16 through 18, 2024. For tickets and more information, visit https://blo.org/anonymouslover/

The Anonymous Lover runs for two performances at Opera Philadelphia from January 31 through February 2, 2025. For tickets and more information, visit https://operaphila.org.