UBC Opera: Street Scene

Opera in Two Acts
Sung in English with English Surtitles

Kurt Weill | Composer
Langston Hughes | Librettist
Book by Elmer Rice, based on the play of the same name.

Kurt Weill’s Street Scene is a captivating two-act “American Broadway Opera” that masterfully combines operatic arias, show tunes, jazz, and blues. Set over two sweltering summer days, it portrays the intense emotions and struggles of a multi-ethnic, working-class community in New York City. The story focuses on Anna Maurrant, trapped in a violent marriage, and her affair with Steve Sankey, sparking neighbourhood gossip. Meanwhile, her daughter Rose navigates her own romantic and social challenges. With its rich musical variety and emotionally charged narrative, Street Scene offers an unforgettable glimpse into the dreams, tensions, and hopes of its characters.

Jonathan Girard | Conductor
Nancy Hermiston | Director
Members of the UBC Symphony Orchestra