OPERACADES at the Open Boulevards Performance Series

Open Boulevards is the DOT’s newest public initiative to transform city streets into cultural destinations with extra space for dining, landscaping and other beautification, art installations community based cultural activities, and staged performances for New Yorkers and visitors.

Inspired by the Zoltar machine at Coney Island and in tribute to our many performing artists who have struggled for work due to the pandemic, OPERACADES creates a unique public performance venue and mobile public art installation. With the OPERACADES, Opera on Tap aims to create an artistic experience that evokes nostalgia for another time and type of performance practice. At the same time, they point towards a future for opera and classical music that puts innovation, community engagement, equity and inclusion at the forefront. 

Multiple configurations and interactive performance practices for and with the audience in open public spaces will be presented. OPERACADES are a vision conjured by Opera on Tap’s Artistic Director Anne Hiatt, Sound Designer Todd Perlmutter and Production Designer Ramona Ponce. The OPERACADES are brought to life through their partners at New Orleans Opera and their brilliant scenic builder Keith Christopher and scenic painter Nathan Arthur.