Opera Philadelphia premieres local composer’s “The Listeners” [Videos] – Delco Times

Missy Mazzoli believes she was born a composer.

Described as the “Mozart of the post-millennium era,” Mazzoli began writing music at the age of ten while sitting and playing the piano in her Lansdale home.

“I started writing when I was about 10 years old,” Mazzoli said. “As I got older, I really wanted to tell stories with my work. So opera was a natural choice. And I fell in love with theater. So if you want to work in theater as a composer, opera is kind of the way to go.”

Mazzoli's latest opera, The Listeners, will be performed by Opera Philadelphia at the Academy of Music from September 25-29. Tickets are available at www.operaphila.org/whats-on/in-theaters-2024-2025/the-listeners.

“Working at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia is a personal dream come true,” said Mazzoli, a graduate of North Penn High School. “I still remember walking past this building as a teenager and thinking, 'One day my music will be performed here.' 'The Listeners' was a fantastic project that premiered with the Norwegian National Opera in 2022, and I can't wait to bring it to the U.S. with my home company, Opera Philadelphia.”

Based on an original story by Canadian writer Jordan Tannahill, “The Listeners” is inspired by a real-life phenomenon called “Global Hum,” a deep sound that 4% of the world's population claims to hear. Tannahill's story became a bestselling novel in 2021 and is being adapted into a BBC limited television series by Element Pictures (“Normal People,” “Poor Things”), starring Rebecca Hall.

“The Listeners” explores the lengths Americans will go to find a sense of home and purpose, and how confident, charming leaders can exploit those needs for their own ends. The story centers on a middle-class mother living in a southwestern suburb who notices a “buzz,” a high-frequency ambient sound that only a select few people, the “listeners,” can hear.

A community organization quickly forms to solve the mystery of the humming, but when the de facto leader suggests a spiritual meaning, the meetings become increasingly cult-like. Is this community of “listeners” on a collision course with destruction?

“It is both a psychological thriller and an intimate portrait of modern family life,” said Mazzol, whose first opera, “Breaking the Waves,” premiered in 2016.

“From the first words sung – 'This is how we live now. Unbelievable' – to the shocking twist at the end, this play was a joy to write and a thrill to bring to life with our amazing creative team led by director Lileana Blain-Cruz. Jordan Tannahill's story and Royce Vavrek's libretto penetrate the reality of the chaos and longing that simmer beneath every seemingly 'normal' family and in the hearts of all who dare to follow their true destiny.”

Mazzoli was nominated for two Grammys in 2024 in the category of Best Contemporary Classical Composition for Dark With Excessive Bright, a concerto for double bass or violin and string orchestra.

“I play piano, so a lot of my work starts with improvisation, coming up with interesting chords,” Mazzoli said. “I like trying things out, playing things and creating sounds. I come up with a melody that feels right and then work it out. So I write everything down for piano, and then there's a point where I orchestrate it and write for the orchestra.”

Throughout her career, Mazzoli tries to show that music is for everyone.

“I see my role as inspiring younger people, especially young women,” Mazzoli said. “I want to show people that this kind of art can reflect the society we all live in. My work deals with what resonates in today's society. I think that's what people want to see.”

“I think especially in America, the arts are not as supported by the government as they are in Europe and other parts of the world. That presents a big challenge in terms of getting people in. It's really interesting to be working with Opera Philadelphia because they've just introduced this $11 ticket policy. I think that will go a long way in getting people in who think opera is too expensive.”

Mazzoli also spoke about paving a way for women.

“It's definitely changed a lot since I was younger,” Mazzoli said. “You know, I'm 43, but even 10-15 years ago, women weren't celebrated. I would also add nonbinary people and composers of color. It was a very small group of people who were considered composers and who kind of fit the mold. Now I think that's expanding, which is very exciting.

“I think when you're younger you get criticized for doing things that make you stand out, but as a professional you get praised for it. I think it's just about persevering and staying in the game until you get to the point where people celebrate you for what makes you different.”

When “The Listeners” enter the stage, Mazzoli doesn’t let up at all.

“I'm just finishing a new opera for the Metropolitan Opera in New York,” said Mazzoli. “So that will premiere in about two years. I'm writing another opera for the Scottish Opera. I'm also writing a lot of other smaller works for pianists and string quartets and a lot of smaller pieces as well.”