Organization

Prop Designer

Sydney E Schatz

Costume designer

Summer Lee Jack

Conductor

Robert Kahn

Jorge Parodi

Singer

Soprano

Jennifer Zetlan

Rhoda

Clara Lisle

Bass-baritone

Robert Orth

Charles R Knight

Tenor

Patrick Cook

Dr. Henry Osborn

Lyric Opera of Chicago

Pittsburgh Opera

On Site Opera

English

Rhoda and the Fossil Hunt

New York City

United States

Museum of Natural

Public

Private

Approved

Rhoda and the Fossil Hunt Musto

On Site Opera will present the World Premiere of Rhoda and the Fossil Hunt, a new opera by John Musto with libretto by Eric Einhorn, at the American Museum of Natural History’s Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs this Fall. Performances of the family-friendly opera - which will run approximately 20 minutes - will be free with museum admission, and will take place September 23, 24, 29, 30, October 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 (Fridays at 11:30am; Saturdays and Sundays at 12:00 & 2:30).

Co-commissioned and co-produced with Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Lyric Unlimited and Pittsburgh Opera, Rhoda and the Fossil Hunt is based on the real-life experiences of 8-year-old Rhoda Knight Kalt and her trips to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) with her grandfather Charles R. Knight, the famous naturalist artist who was commissioned to create paintings and sculptures of prehistoric creatures – many still on display at the AMNH today. The opera premiered in the AMNH’s Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs in the fall 2017 before traveling to Chicago (Lyric Unlimited) and Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh Opera).

In the early 20th century, Dr. Henry Fairfield Osborn, paleontologist and president of the AMNH, turned to painter Charles R. Knight to bring their fossil collection to life for museum visitors. Through his work, Knight took viewers millions of years back in time to view non-avian dinosaurs as active, fleshed out creatures. Every weekend, Knight’s granddaughter Rhoda accompanied “Toppy” (as she called him) to the museum while he worked. As Knight painted, little Rhoda watched in awe as the massive fossils unpacked by the museum’s paleontologists were transformed into living, breathing creatures on Toppy’s canvases and sculptures. Audiences will join Rhoda as she goes on a hunt for missing fossils around the hall, while learning about the connection between creativity and science.

Rhoda and the Fossil Hunt is based on a concept by Jessica Kiger and Eric Einhorn.

Funding for Rhoda and the Fossil Hunt is provided in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Rhoda and the Fossil Hunt by Musto, From (2017/2017), Conductor Robert Kahn, Jorge Parodi, Museum of Natural, New York City, United States

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Co-Producer

Program, About & Synopsis

Videos

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues