Congratulations to the Black People Magic of Chicago poet, performer and composer avery r. young... his new opera Safronia is getting its world premiere at the Lyric Opera of Chicago later this month.
This highly-anticipated premiere is selling out quickly... the opera will be performed in English with music inspired by the traditions of gospel, blues, funk and soul. The story follows the Booker family, who travel from the North to return to their Southern hometown to bury their patriarch after five years of banishment. It taps into folklore, poetry, and history, telling the triumphs and tragedies of the Great Migration through a personal story with universal themes.
The composer has the distinction of being Chicago's first ever poet laureate when the program first starting in 2023. He's a native of Chicago and his family has roots in Lexington, Mississippi. His other work includes the poetry volume neckbone, along with albums booker t. soltreyne: a race rekkid and tubman. He was inducted to the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 2023. He is also part of The Floating Museum, non-profit art collective that depicts Chicago neighborhoods as galleries of a museum that Chicago itself represents.
Safronia will be presented in two performances only on April 17th and 18th at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and tickets are available here.
Remember to celebrate your magic, too! xoxo