ALLEGRA & THE CELLO, IN MOVEMENTS
COMING IN DECEMBER 2026
LA MAMA
EXPERIMENTAL THEATRE CLUB
In Partnership with
HIGH HARD HEAT/Dominick Balletta
PRESENTS
a world premiere opera
ALLEGRA & THE CELLO, IN MOVEMENTS
Story and Libretto....Catherine Filloux
Music….Julia Schwartz
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Set/Lighting Design….Justin Townsend
Projection Design….Milton Cordero
Costume Design….Suttirat Larlarb & Brynne Oster-Bainnson
Casting Director….Jamibeth Margolis, CSA
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Directed by….Elena Araoz
Witness a groundbreaking moment in opera history with Allegra & the Cello, in Movements, where the first-ever female doctor to take stage in opera brings to life the story of Allegra. Set in the tension-filled days before a high-stakes trial, Allegra lets the audience of lawyers into the most vulnerable and difficult moments in her life and career as they navigate her pretrial discovery together.
Through a bold fusion of rhythm, movement, emotion, silence and vibrant colors, Allegra & the Cello, in Movements explores the struggles of a woman who questions and defies law for the sake of humanity. With the music of a single cello guiding Allegra through each scene, this opera challenges tradition in more ways than one.
Join Allegra in her discovery--a story of wavering resilience and eternal resistance.
Catherine Filloux is an award-winning French Algerian American playwright/librettist, writing about human rights for decades. Her libretto Orlando (Vienna Staatsoper, Grawemeyer award) next appears at Opera Komische Berlin.
Julia Schwartz is a composer from Ohio, who lives in Switzerland. Her works, both vocal and instrumental, have been performed in the United States, South America and Europe. www.juliaschwartz.ch