LOLA is proud to be returning to Songs in the Skyspace, Landmarks' monthly music series hosted inside James Turrell’s Skyspace, The Color Inside. The program represents a diverse mix of voices and instruments and offers a unique way to engage with Turrell’s elegant light sequence.

Mezzo-soprano Liz Cass and pianist Ben Tibbetts will be presenting a program of Italian and French art song during the light show on Sunday March 19th around 7 pm.

**When: March 19th, 2023 from 7 pm - 8:30**

**Where: UT Campus William C. Powers, Jr. Student Activity Center**

**(Third floor, Rooftop Garden 2201 Speedway at 22nd Street Austin, Texas 78712)**

Songs in the Skyspace runs monthly on select evenings during the sunset light sequence. Free reservations are required and can be made online.

Join us on October 17th @5pm in the beautiful Draylen Mason hall at the KMFA studios in downtown Austin, Texas for a live stream concert performance of the new chamber opera, Good Country by composer Keith Allegretti and librettist Cecelia Raker. Learn more about this exciting project and the creative team by opening the program below.

Join us at 7pm for a FREE Livestream of Part II of Lardo Weeping, the Opera! Lardo Weeping, an original opera composed by Peter Stopschinski with libretto by Terry Galloway and dramaturgy by Donna Nudd, is a provocative commentary on the human condition as seen through the eyes of Dinah Le Farge, a fat, queer, philosopher recluse, and lover of both art and garbage. With her wit and candor, she takes the audience on a journey into her past experiences and struggles. The opera culminates with Dinah literally tearing herself apart then picking up the pieces and putting them back together again.

This opera is intended for ages 18+ and is not appropriate for children.

LOLA presents the full concert premiere of the new chamber opera by composer Peter Stopschinski and playwright Terry Galloway with Mezzo Soprano Liz Cass as Dinah LeFarge. 

 August 17th @7pm CDT

Studio A Concert Hall

This event is free, donations are welcome, reservations are required

Recommended for adults 18 and older

 Lardo Weeping is a wonderful journey through the mind of recluse-genius Dinah LeFarge, a clever, intellectual, quite sexual woman of independent means who seldom ventures outside her apartment and refuses to answer her door unarmed. Dinah finds herself with only five dollars left to her name but claims to have "otherworldly resources" and hints at a miraculous transformation for her and her audience. Dinah takes us through her many ideas and schemes and through this storytelling we are introduced to many feminist icons including Emily Dickinson, Gertrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas, Emma Goldman, Ann Landers, and others. We are treated to stories about her past employment as a convenience store clerk, her food journaling, and Dinah’s ongoing obsession with the “Weekly World News”. This journey ends with Dinah literally tearing her body apart and putting it back together again further highlighting the stress and demands put on human and especially female bodies.

Cast: Dinah LeFarge - Liz Cass, Chorus - Jihee Han, Chorus - Julie Silva

Orchestra:  Piano - Peter Stopschinski, Violin - Sonja Larson, Cello - Nora Karakousoglou

Production Team:  Composer - Peter Stopschinski, Librettists - Terry Galloway & Donna Nudd , Executive Producer - Liz Cass, Artistic Producer - Rebecca Herman, Stage Direction - Rebecca Herman, Production Manager - Carli Kerr

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

Join us for a FREE event on June 5th @4:30 CDT on our YouTube Channel. LOLA is excited to host Soprano, Dr. Nicole Taylor live for a presentation her pre-recorded Black Composers Concert and Q&A following the recital. Pianist, Nikki Birdsong accompanies this recital with music by:

• Florence Price

• Margaret Bonds

• William Grant Still

• John Daniels Carter

• Betty Jackson King

• Undine Smith Moore

• Robert Owens

• H. Leslie Adams

It is our pleasure to present this event at no cost on the LOLA YouTube Channel. If you are able, we welcome a donation in any amount.

Join us on Saturday, October 24th for a live in-person drive-in concert! Vocalists Julia Taylor and Liz Cass with pianist David Utterback will present classic operatic duets and arias from the scenic front porch of the Armstrong Community Music School (404 Camp Craft Rd. Austin, TX 78746). Spaces are limited to 20 cars for maximum safety and peace of mind. This event is free and donations are welcome. Follow the button below to make your reservation and donate or to reserve a spot without donation, simply fill out the form below with your name, email, and number in your party. We look forward to sharing this experience with you! #weallsingbettertogether

December 26th @8pm

4th Tap Brewery 10615 Metric Blvd

Only $10!

Diva vs Diva! Opera singers belt for the belt at LOLA "Diva Cage Match" event

by We Are Austin - Monday, September 30th 2019

It's the sing-off of the century, pitting pipes against pipes for the bragging rights of best belter! For one night only, you can watch Opera singers compete in the LOLA "Diva Cage Match." Liz Cass and Divas, Carolyn Hoehle and Veronica Williams are here to tell us more.

Watch the video from CBS|Austin by clicking here.

LOLA (Local Opera Local Artists) is thrilled to be partnering with Out of the Box Opera from Minneapolis to bring this exciting one-night-only event to the Rollins Theatre. Let’s get ready to rumble, opera-style! Diva Cage Match is the perfect fusion of world-class opera in a competitive sports setting. Watch as six opera stars compete in a knock-down, drag-out battle boxing ring style. The winner will ceremoniously receive a pair of golden gloves and will be crowned “Diva Champion of the World”. 

 Experience a sensational night of singing, featuring an unbelievable display of vocal fireworks from Austin’s own Carolyn Hoehle, Veronica Williams, Chantal Freeman, Page Stephens, Sara Ann Mitchell Jebaily, and we welcome from the Fort Worth Opera Studio, Janani Sridhar. With colorful commentary by three incredible celebrity judges: from the “Lord of the Rings” (Denethor) and TV’s “Fringe” (Dr. Walter Bishop) and “Sleepy Hollow” (Henry Parrish)  John Noble, “Queen of Austin Soul” and Austin native Tameca Jones, and singer, producer, philanthropist, radio host, Grammy Winner, Austin’s own Mela Dailey .  Emceeing the event is Diva Cage Match creator and opera director, David Lefkowich. Diva Cage Match puts you in the front row for the sing-off of the century. 

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department. Thanks to our media sponsor, KMFA 89.5 .

LOLA at 4th Tap is back for a 4th Season and we are kicking it off with "I Am Woman" featuring the dramatic vocal styles of soprano Katrina Saporsantos and mezzo soprano Bethany Ammon with pianist Benjamin Dia. This ensemble will be bringing you powerhouse duets, arias, and lots of surprises from Bizet, Korngold, Strauss, Ponchielli, Sondheim, Kander, and a whole lot more. What's even better? Tickets are just $10! We hope you'll join us at the tasty and cool 4th Tap Brewery on September 19th @8pm for what will no doubt be a soul adventure.