Talks & Events Archive: El Niño

April 1 | 7PM
Works & Process
The Guggenheim Museum, Peter B. Lewis Theater 

Prior to the April 23 company premiere of John Adams’s El Niño, Met General Manager Peter Gelb moderates a discussion with members of the creative team, and cast members perform highlights from the powerful score. Eminent American composer John Adams returns to the Metropolitan Opera after a decade-long hiatus with his acclaimed opera-oratorio, an extraordinarily dramatic retelling of the Nativity, which incorporates sacred and secular texts in English, Spanish, and Latin, from biblical times to the present day. El Niño brings together some of contemporary opera’s fiercest champions, all of whom make highly anticipated company debuts: Marin Alsop, one of the great conductors of our time, who has led more than 200 new-music premieres; soprano Julia Bullock, a leading voice on and off stage; and pathbreaking bass-baritone Davóne Tines. Radiant mezzo-sopranos J’Nai Bridges and Daniela Mack take turns completing the principal trio. The moving, fully staged new production also marks the Met debut of Lileana Blain-Cruz, Resident Director at Lincoln Center Theater, who received universal acclaim for her Tony-nominated 2022 production of The Skin of Our Teeth.  

April 3 | 7:30PM
Leading Ladies: Kamilah Forbes and Lileana Blain-Cruz in Conversation
The Apollo Stages at the Victoria

The Apollo and the Metropolitan Opera join forces to highlight the dynamic careers of two of New York’s boldest theater and opera directors. Kamilah Forbes, executive producer at The Apollo, and Lileana Blain-Cruz, director of the Met premiere of John Adams’s El Niño, conduct an intimate conversation centered on directing in different genres, scales, and subjects.

April 18 | 7:30PM
The Divine Feminine in El Niño: An Evening of Latinx Poetry, Music, and Dance
Judson Memorial Church

The Met and Qween Jean of Judson Memorial Church present an evening of Latinx poetry, music, and dance, with a special focus on the work of Rosario Castellanos. Director Lileana Blain-Cruz and Choreographer Marjani Forté-Saunders joins Ghanian artist JOJO ABOT in conversation, and a diverse lineup of women artists present performances of opera, multi-media art, dance, and poetry curated by CantoMundo’s Deborah Paredez. Free; registration required.