The Secret River Goes “On Site” With A New Cast And Reimagined Production

Opera Orlando remounts its first commissioned opera The Secret River, March 6 & 7 at Mead Botanical Garden outside on The Grove Stage. Based on the Newbery Honor Award-winning book of the same name by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, The Secret River features a tuneful score composed by Orlando’s own Stella Sung with a libretto by Grammy Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Mark Campbell. 

“As part of our 10th Anniversary season, we are thrilled to bring back The Secret River, which was a Company favorite for so many of our audience members and education partners,” shares Opera Orlando general director Gabriel Preisser. “We could not think of a better place to present it than Mead Botanical Garden, which served as the location for the piano workshop of The Secret River back in 2021. The outdoor setting fits perfectly as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings inspired children’s book is set in the backwoods of Florida. It also allows families to bring their blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy opera outdoors. How much more Florida can you get!?”

The Secret River features soprano Sabrina Langlois making her Company debut as Calpurnia, soprano Renée Richardson making her company debut as Cassandra, bass-baritone Lloyd Reshard as Augustus, mezzo-soprano Kimberly Hernández returning to her role as Mother Albirtha, and soprano Amy Cofield as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.

Haitian-American soprano Sabrina Langlois is a champion of new works, having performed in premieres of innovative operas such as Kay Rhie’s Quake, Richard Danielpour’s The Grand Hotel Tartarus, and Omar with LA Opera. Her operatic repertoire spans a variety of roles including Despina in Così fan tutte, Anne Trulove in The Rake’s Progress, and Adina in L’elisir d’amore.

Renée Richardson is a Haitian-American soprano who recently completed a residency in the Houston Grand Opera Butler Studio. Her recent roles include Mimì in La Bohème at Madison Opera, Countess in Le nozze di Figaro at Pensacola Opera, Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte at Wolf Trap Opera, and Annina in La traviata at Houston Grand Opera. 

Bass-baritone Lloyd Reshard is an Opera Orlando favorite, having appeared in many of the Company’s previous productions, including Tosca (2023), Carmen (2021), All is Calm (2019), and most recently in Beatrice + Benedict / Cavalleria Rusticana (2025). Local to northwest Florida, Reshard has worked with many Florida opera companies in addition to Opera Orlando including First Coast Opera and St. Pete Opera, as well as the Master Chorale of South Florida.

Lakeland-based mezzo-soprano Kimberly Hernández is returning to Opera Orlando and Mother Albirtha, a role she originated in 2021. Ms. Hernández has previously been seen as Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana and Lily in Porgy and Bess. Soprano Amy Cofield rounds out the cast, returning to Orlando after last appearing with the Company as Minnie in the site specific production of The Girl of the Golden West. Additional credits include engagements with New York City Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Teatro Lirico d’Europa, and Knoxville Opera.

This immersive production will be presented on The Grove Stage at Mead Botanical Garden conducted by Bethune-Cookman University professor Karl Van Richards with stage direction by Ayòfémi Jeriah Demps and choreography by Maxine Montilus, who provided choreography for the world premiere of the work back in 2021. The production will also feature the Opera Orlando Youth Company, dancers from Inez Patricia School of Dance, and fantastic puppetry originally created by MicheLee Puppets—now Orlando Family Stage.

This production is dedicated to the memories of puppeteer Tracey Conner and stage director Dennis Whitehead-Darling whose creative vision shaped this piece from the start.

OPERA ON SITE

The Secret River | music by Stella Sung and libretto by Mark Campbell

sung in English with no supertitles

Friday  |  March 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday  |  March 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Bring the whole family and enjoy this heartwarming story of how a young Calpurnia searches for a secret river to help her family and small town. This story for all ages demonstrates the power of trusting one’s imagination and the goodness within us all.

This production is graciously supported by Karyn Plater and Winifred Johnson Clive Foundation.

Individual tickets with general admission to the lawn are now available and start at $29. Purchase by calling Opera Orlando’s box office at (407) 512-1900 or purchase online HERE. VIP packages include reserved seating in the front four rows along with a pre- and post-show reception that includes wine, beverage service, appetizers, and dessert. VIP packages can be purchased online HERE.

See YOU at the Opera!

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