Richmond, VA – Richmond-based ensemble RVA Baroque and Firehouse Theatre are producing an original opera to open December 3.
Julie, Monster tells the story of Julie d’Aubigny (ca. 1670-1707), a gender-fluid singer and swordfighter, and one of the most extraordinary figures of her day. The opera was written and composed by the father-son team of Raphael and Niccolo Seligmann. The original score mixes baroque compositional techniques with contemporary styles, including rock, folk, and blues.
The show is directed by PJ Freebourn. The cast of 18 includes classically trained singers, musical theater stars, and performers from gospel, rock and world music backgrounds.
Consonant with the work’s embrace of difference, the cast represents a diverse array of identities, self-presentations, bodies, backstories, and beliefs. Jaylin Brown, a recent graduate of VCU’s opera program, plays the title character.
The world premiere will be on December 3, at 7 pm, live at the Firehouse. While in person tickets are sold out, on December 4, a video recording of the opera will be streamed at 8 pm. An Encore Performance will follow opening weekend with online on-demand viewing available December 11th through December 12th.
More details can be found on the show’s website, www.juliemonster.org including a blog with near-daily postings about the show. A special media kit has been prepared, with fact sheets, a plot summary, a cast list, a poster, and a trailer video.
