Detroit Opera Opens Season With “Highways and Valleys,” A Double Shot of American Romance

December 8, 2025

Detroit Opera is launching its 2025-26 season with "Highways and Valleys," a double-bill production featuring two American operas centered on love and struggle. The December performances pair William Grant Still's *Highway 1, USA*, which explores a Black couple's pursuit of the American dream, with Kurt Weill's *Down in the Valley*, receiving a world-premiere staging set in a Birmingham jail. The production reunites acclaimed artists including director Kaneza Schaal and several celebrated vocalists, with costume and scenic design that honors Detroit's working-class heritage.

Who is affected

Detroit Opera company and its audiences
Black American communities whose stories are being centered
The cast and creative team, including director Kaneza Schaal, conductor Roberto Kalb, soprano Nicole Heaston, mezzo-soprano Rehanna Thelwell, tenor Victor Ryan Robertson, bass-baritone Davóne Tines, baritone Babatunde Akinboboye, and Detroit native Lawrence Mitchell-Matthews
Students, community groups, veterans, first responders, and Detroit residents eligible for discounted tickets
Attendees of community events at local churches, Detroit Public Library, and Detroit ACE gatherings

What action is being taken

Detroit Opera is staging performances of "Highways and Valleys" on December 7, 11, and 13
Music Director Roberto Kalb is conducting both operas
The company is extending the celebration citywide with community events at local churches, Detroit Public Library, and hosting a Detroit ACE gathering on opening day
Tickets are being made available through multiple channels with various discount programs

Why it matters

This production matters because it centers Black American love stories on the opera stage, affirming their cultural significance and artistic value. The pairing demonstrates how Black and immigrant experiences have fundamentally shaped American musical identity, with Still's work rooted in the Black experience and Weill's contribution from a Jewish émigré perspective. Detroit Opera's commitment to accessibility through community programming and discounted tickets ensures these stories reach beyond traditional opera audiences, fostering broader cultural dialogue and making high art accessible to the city's diverse population.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle