Performances take place July 18, 20, 21, 25, and 27 at Cincinnati Music Hall
Scenic design for Cincinnati Opera’s production of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio. Design by Leslie Travers.
CINCINNATI (July 3, 2024)—Cincinnati Opera concludes its 2024 Summer Festival July 18-27 with the highly anticipated world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio at Cincinnati’s historic Music Hall. The touching and topical classical piece features music and lyrics by Paul McCartney and Carl Davis with all new sets, costumes, lighting, staging, and choreography. Please see below for complete details.
CALENDAR INFORMATION
Who and What:
Cincinnati Opera presents the world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio.
When:
Thursday, July 18, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 20, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 21, 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 27, 3:00 p.m.
Where:
Music Hall’s Springer Auditorium, 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Description:
Written by Paul McCartney in collaboration with the late, esteemed composer and conductor, Carl Davis, Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio was commissioned by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society in honor of its 150th anniversary and premiered in 1991. The piece tells the semi-autobiographical story of a young man named Shanty, who is born during the turbulent years of World War II and grows up in Liverpool. The work follows his life journey, depicting his struggles and joys and exploring the themes of childhood, school days, love, war, and reconciliation. McCartney’s melodic pop sensibility is evident alongside stunning classical orchestration, resulting in an accessible yet intricate musical work.
Cincinnati Opera’s production of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio will be the work’s first-ever operatic staging, featuring all new sets, costumes, lighting, staging, and choreography, plus a dazzling cast, a 48-voice chorus, dancers from the Cincinnati Ballet, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
In a letter to the company, McCartney said, “I am writing to express my wholehearted support for this project. I believe that the Cincinnati Opera is uniquely positioned to bring this work to life in a new way, and I have no doubt that your production will be an inspiring experience for all who see it.”
The public is encouraged to join in the effort to invite McCartney to attend this historic event by creating tribute videos, sharing them on social media, and tagging @cincinnatiopera and #GetPaulToMusicHall. For more information on the regional campaign, “Come Together, Cincy! Get Paul to Music Hall!” visit GetPaulToMusicHall.org.
Cast and Creative Team:
Composers/Librettists … Paul McCartney and Carl Davis
Conductor … Joseph Young
Stage Director … Caroline Clegg
Set and Costume Designer … Leslie Travers
Associate Costume Designer … Kelli Haase
Lighting Designer … Thomas C. Hase
Wig and Makeup Designer … James Geier
Choreographer … Michael Pappalardo
Chorus Master … Henri Venanzi
Cincinnati Boychoir Director … Jason Alexander Holmes
Shanty … Andrew Owens
Mary Dee … Jacqueline Echols McCarley
Miss Inkley/Chief Mourner/Nurse … Kayleigh Decker
Headmaster/Preacher/Mr. Dingle … Kevin Short
Boy Soloists … Nick Kruckeberg, Eli DeHoff
Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera Chorus, Cincinnati Boychoir, and Cincinnati Ballet
Tickets and Information:
Tickets start at $36. To order, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org/liverpool-oratorio.
Media Contact:
Katie Syroney
Director of Communications
ksyroney@cincinnatiopera.org / 513-768-5526