Philadelphia’s arts and entertainment scene continues to reopen, attempting to recover from long-term cancellations and postponements caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Opera Philadelphia – the only company in town that produces grand operas – is finally making its return to indoor performances on Broad Street anear a two-year hiatus.

The last concert of the company at the Kimmel Cultural Campus was an acclaimed interpretation of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Requiem”, which took place back in January 2020. Mmonths before the cancellation of the rest of his season, tthe show was praised for its “carefully integrated and cumulative sound” by the investigator.

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For their comeback act, the Opera Philadelphia choir and orchestra, as well as a small selection of soloists, will perform “Oedipus Rex” by Igor Stravinsky and “Lilacs” by George Walker on January 21 at 8 p.m. January 23 at 2 p.m. stand in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center.

Single-show tickets and season passes to the Philadelphia Opera “Living in the city center” series are available for purchase. Simple exhibition space starts at $ 20, with orchestra seats starting at $ 69. All purchases come with a risk-free purchase guarantee: if you can no longer attend your performance, your ticket will be refunded.

“Oedipus Rex” highlights Stravinsky’s influence on the musical genre. The story is based on Jean Cocteau’s French interpretation of Sophocles’ original play. The title role is played by William Burden, who has performed as a principal soloist on major opera stages since his debut in 1992. He is currently a faculty member of both Mannes and Julliard School of Music.

“… although ‘Oedipus Rex’ is rarely performed, his drama, wit and consummate art do full justice to the composer’s formidable legacy”, according to a statement published by the Philadelphia Opera.

George Walker’s “Lilacs” is a 15-minute opening performance based on Walt Whitman’s poem “When the lilacs last in the courtyard of the gate will bloom”. The show reflects on the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and won a Pulitzer Prize after its debut in 1996, making George Walker the first black composer to win the prestigious award.

Walker received classical training at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and was the first black instrumentalist play solo with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

All guests aged 12 and over must show full proof of vaccination prior to entering the site, and adults aged 18 and over must also present identification with their proof of vaccination. Masks are mandatory for everyone, unless actively eating or drinking.

To protect the performers, each of them – with the exception of the solo singers and wind instrumentalists – will be masked throughout the performance. Each artist will be tested before the concert. All gatherings before and after the show will be held online to limit contact.

“Odipe Rex” and “Lilac”

January 21 and January 23
8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Sunday | Ticket prices vary
Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center
300 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102