The Philharmonic Orchestra of Jamaica (POJ) in collaboration with The Concert Chorale of Harlem (TCCH) have announced the Éclat Opéra, two musical concerts featuring opera among other genres, set to take place November 16-17, 2024, at Little Theatre in Kingston.

The concert series will feature three-time Grammy-winning American tenor Chauncey Packer, Grammy nominee soprano Laquita Mitchell as well as the TCCH under guest conductor Dr Tyrone Clinton.

The musical companies made the announcement at a press conference last Friday (July 26) at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston as the first international collaboration for the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jamaica with an international operatic group.

Speaking at the launch event, POJ music director Franklin Halliburton said, “I know Jamaica will be in for a treat!”

“The programme we hope to present together is wide and varied. One may ask why opera? But my simple answer to that is why not? Opera is life. We (Jamaica) perhaps are not as familiar with the genre but I promise you, when these people deliver the way they know how to deliver, it connects,” he continued.

He added that music is universal and can connect with emotions in a way that can transcend language barriers.

Jamaican-born, TCCH founder and musical director Rodari Simpson commended the musical talent of the local musicians of the POJ and called bringing the TCCH to Jamaica a dream of his.

He said, “When we thought of the idea, we wanted to make sure that the singers and the musicians are all in sync and we want to get a head start on that. So we’re also conducting a workshop here just for these few short few days to get that going. The workshop began last night, went very well and will go on for the next couple of nights and I’m looking forward to where they will be by the final night.”

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