JULY 7, 2024 —​ This past weekend, New Wave Opera brought four new operatic works to life for the Really Spicy Opera Aria Institute.

Soprano Henriët Fourie Thompson, tenor Shohei Kobayashi, New Wave resident mezzo Lisa Neher, and pianist Paul Floyd workshopped and recorded new solo and duet works for living composers & librettists from around the country. These pieces will serve as the starting point for new operatic works, and New Wave Opera is proud to have played such an integral role in bringing these pieces to life.

"Our partnership with Really Spicy Opera has been so meaningful to us," says NWO President Lisa Neher. "We are so thrilled to finally collaborate as formal companies in support of living artists. We look forward to future collaborations with Really Spicy, and can't wait to see how these works in particular grow in the future."

Check out some of the highlights in our gallery below:

JULY 9, 2024 - PORTLAND, OR - New Wave Opera makes its debut splash at Susan McBerry's Periwinkle Studios on Saturday, July 27th! Summer Splash, the inaugural performance of New Wave Opera, is an all-ages outdoor concert featuring tuneful opera arias, duets, and art songs.

“Opera can be for everyone,” says founder & President Lisa Neher. “We are thrilled to present a dynamic program of music for our first public appearance as a formal company.”

The program features selections by Melissa Dunphy & Nikita Gill, Gabriela Lena Frank's setting of Andean folk poetry, Monica Chew & Sandra Flores-Strand, William Bolcom, and Jake Heggie. The afternoon will also highlight works by Portland's own Dianne Davies, Lisa Neher, and the world premiere of a pun-derful opera trio by Kimberly R. Osberg, If You Cheese!
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​“New Wave Opera has put together a fantastic roster of artists for this performance,” says Osberg, co-founder and composer-in-residence for New Wave Opera. “I couldn’t be more excited to have my music in their hands.”

The program will include performances by soprano and co-founder Lindsey Rae Johnson, mezzos Lisa Neher and Allison Kim-Yok Knotts, and pianist Stephen Lewis (pictured below), and will last for approximately 90 minutes.

“We are eager to welcome audience members of all ages for this more relaxed performance atmosphere,” says Johnson. “This performance will not only be a great way to introduce New Wave Opera to our community, but also to introduce first-time opera listeners to the wide array of what opera can encompass.”

Snacks & drinks of the adult and child-friendly varieties both provided during the performance. Donations welcome at the door. Exact location provided to those who RSVP.

TO RSVP: please email [email protected] or use the contact form on our website.

JUNE 26, 2024 - PORTLAND, OR - New Wave Opera announces their inaugural season, featuring live performances of contemporary opera. Founded by composer-performer Lisa Neher, New Wave Opera is dedicated to staged performances of works by living composers and librettists.

“While opera as an artform has a long and prestigious history, I am most excited by the new ways this art form has developed in the hands of living artists,” says Neher. “And while we are excited to be sharing repertoire from voices all over the world, we are also honored to be telling these stories with voices from our local area.”

Alongside Neher, New Wave Opera is co-founded by resident soprano, Lindsey Rae Johnson and composer-in-residence, Kimberly R. Osberg. “It is truly an honor to be working alongside artists who truly champion living artists,” says Osberg. “Lisa and Lindsey have been strong advocates for both writers and performers across their careers, and I can’t imagine a stronger, more passionate team to build a future with.”

“It is going to be an exciting season,” adds Johnson. “With a particular emphasis this season on treble voices, we had no shortage of amazing talent to pick from. We can’t wait for you to hear this music!”

The inaugural season includes three performances. This July, Summer Splash features a family-friendly afternoon of music and food; the event will feature a new work by Osberg, written specially for the event. In August, New Wave Opera heads to the iconic, horror-themed bar Raven’s Manor for a mix of comic and scary selections. The culmination of NWO’s fall shows will take place across two evenings at Raven’s Manor, for Night of the Living Opera - featuring a spooktacular array of contemporary opera repertoire.

"We are especially grateful to Really Spicy Opera company's Basil Considine and vocalist-educator Susan McBerry," says Neher. "Their mentorship has been invaluable as we worked to form the opera company of our dreams, and New Wave Opera is deeply indebted to their time, insights, and enthusiastic support."

New Wave Opera's season officially begins on Saturday, July 27th with Summer Splash. More information about upcoming shows can be found below:

Founded by Lisa Neher, Lindsey Rae Johnson, and Kimberly R. Osberg, New Wave Opera is founded by professional, working artists based in Portland, Oregon. The board is committed to high-quality productions showcasing the incredible talent pool of locally-based performers, fair and ethical treatment of performers, writers, and other collaborators, and highlighting the work of underrepresented artists. We can't wait to meet you at our next event!

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Lisa Neher, Lindsey Rae Johnson, and Kimberly R. Osberg are available for print, online, and broadcast interviews. If you would like more information on our season or would like to schedule an interview, please contact us at [email protected] or reach out using our contact form.