opera on the james & the listening present

#LifeTheseDays

An exciting new project

Opera on the James, Lynchburg’s own opera company, and The Listening Inc., an arts advocacy and youth mentoring nonprofit, have partnered in an exciting new project.

The early phase of the COVID epidemic was such a uniquely challenging time, particularly for young people. Poetry is one way for them to make sense of the world, of their feelings, and of the impact this enormous event—a global pandemic and social unrest—has had on their lives and the lives of their families.

The Listening, Inc. knows this, and works closely with Lynchburg’s youth. With their help and support, kids compose poems about their lives, expressing their deepest experiences and feelings.

#LifeTheseDays

Opera on the James partnered with The Listening, Inc, to select a three internationally acclaimed composers to compose songs based on these powerful poems. The songs were performed by singers from around the country (accompanied on the piano or on other solo instruments). We then produced a series of videos of these performances, along with conversations between the composers and the young poets. The resulting videos are now posted online for all to enjoy. We believe in the power of music and words to bring people together and create meaning and solace, especially in times of hardship.