Conference Agenda

Session

America at 250: A Celebration of American Opera

Time:

Saturday, 14/Nov/2026:

2:00pm - 3:30pm

Location: PianoPiano Studios, New York, New York / Zoom Session Room 3

Session Topics:

Performances, Opera / Musical Theater, In-Person Events

Presentations

America at 250: A Celebration of American Opera

Chair(s): Jeff Dailey (N/A)

Presenter(s): Christopher Thompson (N/A); Carla Wesby (N/A); Mary Pinto (N/A); John Graziano (CUNY); Deborah Surdi (Queens Symphony Orchestra); Gordon Ostrowski (Manhattan School of Music); Jeff Dailey (N/A)

Organized by the AMS Greater New York Chapter.

"America at 250: A Celebration of American Opera" is a concert and panel discussion that explores the history, legacy, and future of opera in the United States in commemeration of the nation's 250th anniversary in 2026. By bringing together performers and scholars, the event highlights the richness and diversity of the American operatic tradition while fostering conversation about its historical development and contemporary relevance.

This in-person event, held in New York City and livestreamed to the AMS Annual Meeting, will begin with a 45-minute concert of excerpts from operas written in the United States, performed by tenor Christopher Thompson and soprano Carla Wesby, with piano accompaniment by Mary Pinto. Their program will be followed by a panel discussion by experts in the history and performance of American opera: John Graziano, Deborah Surdi, Gordon Ostrowski, and Jeff Dailey.