The California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) Opera Theatre presents its fall 2024 production, “The AIDS Quilt Songbook,” a moving tribute to those impacted by the AIDS epidemic. The performance will take place on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Recital Hall. Tickets are now available through the CSUSB Music Purple Pass webpage.

“The AIDS Quilt Songbook” is a poignant collection of songs and poems reflecting the devastating impact of the AIDS virus, addressing the stigma and fear surrounding the disease, and honoring the lives lost since the outbreak began in the 1980s. This marks the first-known staged adaptation of the songbook, directed by Stacey Fraser with musical direction by Alastair Edmonstone and guest direction by Guillermo Avilés-Rodríguez, professor of theatre arts.

Now in its 18th season, the CSUSB Opera Theatre is renowned for its bold and innovative productions, ranging from classics by Mozart to contemporary works by composers like Missy Mazzoli and Philip Glass. This award-winning ensemble is celebrated for performing groundbreaking and rarely staged operatic pieces.

The production features choreography by CSUSB instructor Terrill Corletto and costume design by Catherine Erickson. Joining the talented CSUSB students are professional artists Joel Brown and acclaimed baritone Kevin Blickfeldt, whose performance history includes the opera boy band VOX on “America’s Got Talent.”

“The AIDS Quilt Songbook” was originally conceived by HIV-positive baritone William Parker, who sought to raise awareness and funds for the AIDS epidemic through classical music. Parker commissioned 18 songs from prominent composers, including William Bolcom, Ned Rorem and Ricky Ian Gordon, to accompany the Memorial Quilt created by the NAMES Project Foundation. Premiered at Lincoln Center in 1992, the original collection left a lasting legacy, even as Parker succumbed to the disease a year later.

CSUSB’s adaptation incorporates newly composed songs, some of which premiered at the 25th Anniversary Concert in Brooklyn in 2017, alongside a selection of the original pieces and four poems. These poems will be performed by CSUSB theatre arts students under the mentorship of Avilés-Rodríguez.

Reflecting on the production, Fraser shared, “It has been my great pleasure to collaborate with my talented colleagues on this special production. We are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received, including accolades from composers whose works are featured in the show. Their generosity and encouragement have been invaluable.”

The cast includes CSUSB singers Nicholas Flores, David Henry, Gabriel Orozco, Nathan Parsons, Cassandra Perez, and Christian Quevedo, with poets Megean Carter, Maddox Martinez, and Angelica Ochoa-Garcia, and guest dancers Sean Pickel and Brandon Yerigan.