Hear exclusive previews from Caroline Louise Miller's new queer fantasy opera Deep Water at Rising Tides, an exploration of our warming world, the beauty of nature, and the fight for social justice through opera and song.
In Deep Water, teenage oracles Val and Bluejay wander a post-apocalyptic world to document the fall of humanity. "The Vapour" is a haunting meditation on the destruction of forest fires. In "Immortality Becomes Tedious, " Val and Bluejay lament how depressing the work is, arguing over the point of it all. New Wave Opera is proud to be performing the world premiere of Deep Water in June 2026. This is your chance to hear excerpts of this compelling and timely opera in advance of the premiere.
Complimenting selections from Deep Water are works inspired by the natural world, social justice, and the climate crisis. Renowned Portland soprano and voice teacher Susan McBerry narrates Upon a Broken World, by Lisa Neher and various poets, contemplating the end of wars, the struggle to maintain hope, and the beauty of day-to-day interactions. Love in a Time of Climate Change, Neher’s OMTA Composer of the Year commission with poet Craig Santos Perez, examines humanity’s love of the natural world and the consequences our choices impose on other species. The setting sun creates faces in the shadows of rocks in Omar Najmi's "These shapes can change" (text by Karly Hou); Stacey Philipps' In the Moment, (text by 7 year old Hilda Conkling) takes delight in the beauty and fragility of a butterfly; Drew Swatosh's "Stillness" expresses hope that we can all find quiet and healing; William Campbell's "Waiting" equates hope with seeing clear skies after grey day; and Lisa Marsh's "Emma's Wisdom" sets Emma Goldman's insistent cry for freedom and equality.
Rising Tides features selections from operas in progress by Pacific Northwest composers. Dianne Davies' "A Solemn Promise," based on the novel North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, is a dramatic showdown between the stern and powerful Mrs. Thornton and the strong-willed outsider Margaret. In Lisa Neher and Bea Goodwin's "No, Nancy! You Can't Say That!" Carolyn Keene, author of the famous Nancy Drew novels, bursts into Nancy's world to stop her from being so independent. Her editors insist that she make Nancy more ladylike. But Nancy fights back and wants to know why she should be anything other than herself.
Performers:
Lindsey Rae Johnson, soprano
Lisa Neher, mezzo-soprano
Susan McBerry, narrator
Stephen Lewis, pianist
Livestream and recording will be available at https://www.youtube.com/@oldchurchpdx
Event Venue
The Old Church Concert Hall, 1422 SW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97201, United States
