Is it opera? Is it jazz? Both. New Orleans-born trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard broke every boundary, as the first black composer to premier an opera at The Met in NYC, and also the first composer to do so with a pedigree squarely in jazz. He did it twice in a row in 2021 and 2023. His subjects were also groundbreaking – the gay middleweight world boxing champion of 1961 and 1962 (Champion) and the intrepid memoir of New York Times columnist Charles Blow (Fire Shut Up in My Bones).
The Soraya brings excerpts from both operas to the West Coast for the first time, with Blanchard himself performing. To hear more about this momentous occasion directly from Blanchard, click here or above.
Gratefully,
This Performance is Part of the inaugural LA Seen Festival
For more than a decade, Los Angeles performing artists have had a home at The Soraya. They are standouts throughout the many seasons, performing original works, undertaking first-time collaborations, and rising to new heights. The Soraya both keeps an eye out for rising local talent and uplifts the ongoing work of the region’s favorites. Thousands of fresh eyes in The Soraya’s Great Hall have been introduced to hometown dancers, jazz artists, and other musicians. In April 2025, The Soraya introduces its first monthlong series of programs dedicated to the performing arts in Los Angeles, the LA Seen festival.
April 6 — Terence Blanchard
April 12 — The Colburn Orchestra
April 17 — Jazz is Dead with Adrian Younge
April 26 — LA Dances Graham100
Upcoming Events
Champion and Fire Shut Up in My Bones
Featuring the E-Collective and
Turtle Island Quartet
Visuals by Andrew F. Scott
Justin Austin, baritone
Adrienne Danrich, soprano
Terence Blanchard
Champion and Fire Shut Up in My Bones
Featuring the E-Collective and
Turtle Island Quartet
Visuals by Andrew F. Scott
Justin Austin, baritone
Adrienne Danrich, soprano
Sun Apr 6 | 7PM
Stéphane Denève, conductor
The Colburn Orchestra
Stéphane Denève, conductor
Sat Apr 12 | 3PM
JAZZ IS DEAD
ADRIAN YOUNGE
SOMETHING ABOUT APRIL
With Full Orchestra
The Soraya & ArtDontSleep Present
JAZZ IS DEAD
ADRIAN YOUNGE
SOMETHING ABOUT APRIL
With Full Orchestra
Thu Apr 17 | 8PM
Featuring soloists from the Martha Graham Dance Company,
Lula Washington Dance Theatre,
USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance,
CSUN Dance, and Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Dance
