Opera Contempo: Nurturing New Works

Opera Contempo presents…the first step in creating new operas!

On Saturday, April 19, 2025, join us for a live reading of two new opera libretti (the script an opera singer sings). It’s a free preview of our current operas-in-development.

We’ll have live actors reading the lines of two new operas: “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Mandi Barrus and “Protectress” by Kendra Preston Leonard.

“The Velveteen Rabbit” is a Christmas opera in four scenes adapted from the beloved children’s story by Margery Williams. This charming libretto reminds us that to be Real is to be loved. “The Velveteen Rabbit” reading is suitable for all ages. An intermission will follow.

The wait is over! For those of you who joined us for “Protectress: Act I” in 2023, you finally get to hear the rest of the story!

In the “Protectress: Act II” libretto, gorgons, goddesses, and fates grapple with themes of victim shaming, forgiveness, and redemption. This modernization of the Medusa myth is recommended for ages 14+ and contains a content warning for mentions of rape and suicide.

We hope you will join us for the event presented at the Marmelade Branch of the Salt Lake City Library free and open to the public.

However, it’s not free to produce such an event!

$5 gets a script in the hands of an actor

$50 pays for one actor to attend a rehearsal

$100 supports projection design

$500 creates payment for 5 local artists

$1000 allows us to commission the music composition for half of an opera

Partner with us in the opera-development journey! You can make the difference