The future of music, made here.

3 Operas, 4 Days, 10 Performances, 500 Costumes: NEC Graduate Opera Photo Recap

May 19, 2022

Henry Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas”

See photos from the April 2022 performances of Perla’s “An American Dream,” Ravel’s “L’enfant et les sortilèges,” and Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas,” under the direction of Joshua Major, Chair of Opera Studies.

April 2022 saw a remarkable and ambitious run of three operas over the course of four days, presented by NEC Opera’s graduate students under the direction of Joshua Major, Chair of Opera Studies, with music conducted by Robert Tweten, Opera Studies’ Music Director. NEC’s production of “Dido and Aeneas” also featured the stage direction of Joshua’s father, opera director Leon Major.

In an interview at OperaWire, Major discussed how the idea for these productions was initially conceived due to the COVID restrictions of having to present 90-minute shows with no intermission, combined with a large enrollment in the program that allowed for a great diversity of singers and repertoire. The result was a remarkable staging of three dynamic productions.

We hope you enjoy seeing a selection of visuals by NEC’s Andrew Hurlbut from these wonderful operas.

Jack Perla’s “An American Dream”

Dress rehearsal for NEC Opera production of An American Dream by Jack Perla, 19 April 2022, Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre. Joshua Major, Stage Director, Robert Tweten, conductor.
Dress rehearsal for NEC Opera production of An American Dream by Jack Perla, 19 April 2022, Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre. Joshua Major, Stage Director, Robert Tweten, conductor.
Dress rehearsal for NEC Opera production of An American Dream by Jack Perla, 19 April 2022, Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre. Joshua Major, Stage Director, Robert Tweten, conductor.
Dress rehearsal for NEC Opera production of An American Dream by Jack Perla, 19 April 2022, Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre. Joshua Major, Stage Director, Robert Tweten, conductor.
Dress rehearsal for NEC Opera production of An American Dream by Jack Perla, 19 April 2022, Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre. Joshua Major, Stage Director, Robert Tweten, conductor.

Maurice Ravel’s “L’enfant et les sortilèges”

Final dress rehearsal for NEC Opera production of Maurice Ravel's L'Enfant et les sortilèges -- with libretto by Colette. 20 April 2022, Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre. Directed by Joshua Major; conducted by Robert Tweten.
Final dress rehearsal for NEC Opera production of Maurice Ravel's L'Enfant et les sortilèges -- with libretto by Colette. 20 April 2022, Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre. Directed by Joshua Major; conducted by Robert Tweten.
Final dress rehearsal for NEC Opera production of Maurice Ravel's L'Enfant et les sortilèges -- with libretto by Colette. 20 April 2022, Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre. Directed by Joshua Major; conducted by Robert Tweten.
Final dress rehearsal for NEC Opera production of Maurice Ravel's L'Enfant et les sortilèges -- with libretto by Colette. 20 April 2022, Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre. Directed by Joshua Major; conducted by Robert Tweten.
Final dress rehearsal for NEC Opera production of Maurice Ravel's L'Enfant et les sortilèges -- with libretto by Colette. 20 April 2022, Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre. Directed by Joshua Major; conducted by Robert Tweten.

Henry Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas”

Dress rehearsal for NEC Opera production of Dido and Aeneas, Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre, 18 April 2022. Directed by Leon Major, conducted by Robert Tweten.
Dress rehearsal for NEC Opera production of Dido and Aeneas, Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre, 18 April 2022. Directed by Leon Major, conducted by Robert Tweten.
Dress rehearsal for NEC Opera production of Dido and Aeneas, Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre, 18 April 2022. Directed by Leon Major, conducted by Robert Tweten.
Dress rehearsal for NEC Opera production of Dido and Aeneas, Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre, 18 April 2022. Directed by Leon Major, conducted by Robert Tweten.
recent news
In Transformative Opportunity, Endowment Challenge Aims to Strengthen NEC for Generations

December 15, 2025

In Transformative Opportunity, Endowment Challenge Aims to Strengthen NEC for Generations

Read More
NEC’s Spring 2026 Concert Season Promises Compelling and Imaginative Performances

December 10, 2025

NEC’s Spring 2026 Concert Season Promises Compelling and Imaginative Performances

Read More
Trio Eris Reaches Finals at Naumburg Competition

December 10, 2025

Trio Eris Reaches Finals at Naumburg Competition

Read More
  • In Transformative Opportunity, Endowment Challenge Aims to Strengthen NEC for Generations

    December 15, 2025

    In Transformative Opportunity, Endowment Challenge Aims to Strengthen NEC for Generations

  • NEC’s Spring 2026 Concert Season Promises Compelling and Imaginative Performances

    December 10, 2025

    NEC’s Spring 2026 Concert Season Promises Compelling and Imaginative Performances

  • Trio Eris Reaches Finals at Naumburg Competition

    December 10, 2025

    Trio Eris Reaches Finals at Naumburg Competition

  • New England Conservatory Introduces Tuition-Free 2026 Summer Chamber Music Young Artist Program

    December 2, 2025

    New England Conservatory Introduces Tuition-Free 2026 Summer Chamber Music Young Artist Program

  • NEC’s Institute for Concert Artists Celebrates New Class and Esteemed Advisory Council

    November 25, 2025

    NEC’s Institute for Concert Artists Celebrates New Class and Esteemed Advisory Council

  • NEC’s 2025 Festival Celebrates Curiosity and the “Compleat Musician”

    November 24, 2025

    NEC’s 2025 Festival Celebrates Curiosity and the “Compleat Musician”