Charlie Parker’s Yardbird
March 16, 2024 | 7 PM | Madam Walker Theater
Congratulations Indy Opera - Yardbird Success!
A very special THANK YOU to the Indianapolis community for supporting and attending the premier performance of Charlie Parker's Yardbird at the Madam Walker Theater!
Yardbird in the News
Brown featured in Indy Opera's Charlie Parker's Yardbird
Current Magazine 3/10/24 by Mark Ambrogi
Link: https://youarecurrent.com/2024/03/10/brown-featured-in-indy-operas-charlie-parkers-yardbird/
This opera explores the legacy of a revolutionary musician
who left a big imprint on Indy
Indianapolis Star 3/14/24 By Domenica Bongiovanni
Photo credit: Doug McSchooler
Link: https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/03/14/indy-opera-tells-the-story-of-charlie-parkers-triumphs-and-tragedies/72810044007/
Thank you to our Sponsors for helping to make this production possible:
Charlie Parker’s Yardbird paints a portrait of the tortured jazzman, legendary saxophonist, and inventor of ‘bebop.’ As his soul lingers between life and death, Charlie (Martin Bakari) returns to his famous NYC jazz club, Birdland, and is challenged to compose a final masterpiece, all while pondering the inspirations, demons, and women who fueled his creative genius. Indianapolis-native and opera superstar Angela Brown debuted the role of Charlie’s mother, Addie Parker, and will reprise this powerful character for the Indiana premiere. Written by composer Daniel Schnyder with libretto by the late playwright Bridgette A. Wimberly, this 90-minute opera offers an unflinching portrayal of one man’s journey to redemption against a backdrop of the music, opioid crisis, and racial inequality of 1950s America.
