2024
"WILD FLOWER" is an opera based on the true story of a Romanian girl in Africa, written by the heroine, Nina Smart, a Sierra Leonean refugee who fled FGM and dedicated her life to raising awareness about this human rights violation.
ABOUT
Young Geanina is asked to choose between her Romanian family and a stranger, her biological father, a diplomat from Africa.
Her choices send her spiraling towards initiation into a secret society where girls have to undergo female genital mutilation – FGM.
While in Africa, Nigeria teaches her how to be rebellious, Sierra Leone tests her courage and Geanina carves her own destiny by fleeing to America. Wild Flower explores themes of power in tradition, patriarchy, race, heritage, love, womanhood, West/Non-West, migration, and body politics.
CREATED AND CONCEIVED BY
Wild Flower the opera is a project of the International Brazilian Opera Company developed in partnership with the Nina Smart. We've asked you to visit this page because you may be capable of assisting in the commission, donation, and sponsorship for this significant Women and Human Rights story. Let's start a conversation to advance American opera with diverse representation. With your help, the opera will be premiered in 2024.
CONTACT US
TEAM
NINA SMART
LIBRETTIST
Dr. Nina smart is a human rights
activist, sociologist, author, and poet
working to educate people about
female genital mutilation (FGM)
and to eradicate the practice
in sierra leone and the globe.
ATHENA AZEVEDO
VISUAL DIRECTOR
award winning creative director, photographer,
and, iboc executive director, Athena Azevedo,
will oversee the team, visual concept,
and development of the new work.
JOÃO MACDOWELL COMPOSITION MENTOR
Artistic Director of IBOC and composer,
JoÃo MacDowell will provide compositional mentorship to the selected composer. In particular through his praxis of polyculturalism and polyharmony.
SPONSOR
OPERA PREMIERE 2024