In celebration of its 20th anniversary, American Lyric Theater is proud to announce a gala performance on October 23, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Merkin Hall. The evening will feature scenes from a wide range of operas by alumni of ALT’s Composer Librettist Development Program (CLDP), including works developed and commissioned by ALT as well as operas that were commissioned and premiered at other leading companies across the country. A highlight of the evening will be a very special preview of Lincoln in the Bardo—the first opera by a CLDP alum to be commissioned by The Metropolitan Opera. Composed by Missy Mazzoli with a libretto by Royce Vavrek (CLDP 2007/08), the work is scheduled to receive its world premiere in the fall of 2026.

Hosted by ALT’s founder, Lawrence Edelson, the program will feature many of the artists who have contributed to the development of new operas at ALT, including sopranos Jacqueline Echols, Karen Vuong, Caroline Worra, and Jennifer Zetlan; mezzo-sopranos Heather Johnson and Gina Perregrino; tenor Andrew Bidlack; baritones and Jonathan Michie and Ethan Vincent; bass-baritone Justin Hopkins; and pianists Djordje Nesic, Jason Wirth and ALT’s Associate Artistic Director Kelly Kuo.

The evening will also honor Susan Feder, whose 15-year tenure as Program Officer in the Arts and Culture Program at the Mellon Foundation was transformative for the American opera field. Feder’s visionary leadership and support of ALT helped to catalyze the company’s growth and amplify its national impact.

Reserved tickets are available through the Merkin Hall box office.

For gala tickets, including the post-concert reception, please visit www.altnyc.org/gala20