Twice Through the Heart: an opera addressing domestic violence

The piece is a collaboration between English composer Mark Turnage and Scottish poet Jackie Kay and explores the real-life story of an abused woman imprisoned for the murder of her husband. The music is lyrical but abrupt, painful but often quiet and reflective; one of the composer’s most finely crafted, intensely moving and technically accomplished works.

Sung by 8 diverse local singers, this chamber opera is a representation of the effects of domestic violence on all populations in Salt Lake City. The 16 orchestral musicians bring an immersive experience that is at times haunting, beautiful, and transformative.

Sung in English with English and Spanish supertitles
Performance length: 35 minutes

Following the performance will be a talk-back with the performers and Salt Lake City professionals who work with survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner violence.

Recommended for age 12 and up

DIRECTOR Liz Whittaker
CONDUCTOR Lauren Machado
SINGER 1 Samantha Paredes
SINGER 2 Sarah Singer
SINGER 3 Madeleine Rodriguez
SINGER 4 Lindsay Spring Browning
SINGER 5 Jude Ruelas
SINGER 6 Mandi Barrus
SINGER 7 John Knight Allen
SINGER 8 Jin-Xiang Yu

PRODUCER Mandi Barrus, in collaboration with Opera Contempo, with generous funding from the Salt Lake City Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts