CCMOnStage OPERA Presents
Music by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Libretto by Stéphanie Félicité de Genlis
Feb. 17-20, 2022, Cohen Family Studio Theater
*CCM Student
L'Amant Anonyme will last approximately 60 minutes with no intermission.
By Alison Pogorelc
In the past year, there has been increased attention surrounding this neglected 1780 chamber opera by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Bologne’s extraordinary life, artistic success and influence have recently captured the interest of many, as he was a pioneering Black composer, contemporary with Haydn and Mozart.
On the surface, his charming chamber opera, L’Amant Anonyme, explores themes of love and romance typical in the High Enlightenment period and sexual awakening that occured during the late 18th century. At that time, there was an increasing rejection of grand baroque spectacles and a newfound interest in themes relating to a more personal human nature.
Such is the case for this opera, as well as its source material, the play by Stéphanie Félicité de Genlis. Similar to our composer, Madame de Genlis has fallen into a kind of anonymity, though her accomplishments as a writer and educationalist are just as exceptional — especially for a woman of that period.
As I began my work on L’Amant Anonyme, I was first struck by the charming moments of absurdity juxtaposed with intense emotionality represented by the strum und drang musical style. At its core, this piece is an exploration into the fear of the unknown; what it means to leave the comfort of familiarity and trust in new (and sometimes anonymous) possibilities.
I quickly began to draw parallels to the cinematic style of the French New Wave (Nouvelle Vague), a film movement in the 1950s and '60s which gave birth to a new filmmaking approach, rejecting the traditional techniques of larger film studios. The films of the French New Wave are highly self-aware, often deemphasizing plot to focus on universal themes, such as human existence and love.
Many New Wave directors embraced naturalism and spontaneity, which along with their low-budgets and improvisational style creates a “homemade” or “anti-technique” quality.
Our production channels the philosophical and stylistic ideas of this cinematic movement, both aesthetically and dramatically pushing the boundaries of what might be deemed “traditional” for a piece of this period. Taking inspiration from the films of Jean-Luc Godard, Jacques Demy, Agnes Varda, and other directors of the movement, we bridge naturalism with surreal extremes to highlight the intense emotional journey of our protagonist Léontine as she struggles to move on from her past and embrace the unknown.
It seems only fitting that this piece, conceived by two mavericks in their day, be approached in a style which challenges dramatic expectations. We hope that our interpretation of this piece highlights the durability of their work and encourages our audience to explore other anonymous artists whom history has forgotten.
South of France, Léontine’s Country Home, in 1960
^Thursday/Saturday Performances ~Friday/Sunday Performances
Caleb Glickman, conductor
Tickets for CCM's spring 2022 events are on sale now! View our full calendar of events.
Performance information and updates will be shared on the CCM website and in our Next OnStage e-newsletter.
Be the first to know about future ticket on-sale dates and more: sign up for our email list.
Event: October 29, 2026 2:59 PM
UC College-Conservatory of Music's Opera Series presents "La Boheme," on Oct. 29-31, 2026 in Corbett Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.
October 12, 2026
UC’s College-Conservatory of Music will welcome a variety of new faculty and staff members to its roster of distinguished performing and media arts experts, researchers and educators this fall.
October 8, 2026
UC College-Conservatory of Music presents a variety of ticketed concerts on Oct. 15-18, 2026, that feature student artists and esteemed guests. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office!
CCMpower is a volunteer group of fans, advocates and alumni dedicated to empowering students and fueling the future of the arts through scholarship opportunities and more.
The competitive scholarships CCMpower provides help attract and retain the best and brightest students, nurture professional development opportunities and – in turn – continue CCM’s tradition of excellence for the next generation of student-artists. Join or renew your CCMpower membership today to help provide critical scholarship funds.
Join or renew your CCMpower member today to help provide critical scholarship funds. Visit ccm.weshareonline.org to learn more.
Louise Dieterle Nippert Trust
Scholarship and Resident Artist Supporter
The Corbett Endowment at CCM
Dance Department Supporter
All-Steinway School Supporter
William L. Gasch Endowment Fund for Dance Excellence
Rachelle Bruno & Stephen Bondurant
Ellen K. Bastron
Dance Department Supporters
Bacchus Legacy Fund
Hawks Nest Private Wealth Scholarship Fund
Dr. & Mrs. Carl G. Fischer
Ric Sweeney & David Askew
Ken and Toni Kanter
Henry and Sandy Spitz
Greg Mathein
Jim & Linda Miller
Marty & Anne Pinales
Musical Theatre Department Supporters
GLP German Light Products
Dick & Chris Russell
Upstaging, Inc.
Theater Design & Production Supporter
The Estate of Genevieve Smith
Opera Production Supporter
Rafael and Kimberly de Acha
Opera D’Arte Supporter
The Friedlander Family
Dr. Randolph L. Wadsworth
Judith Schonbach Landgren and Peter Landgren
Mr. & Mrs. Harry H. Santen
Elizabeth C.B. Sittenfeld
Elizabeth Stone
Mrs. Thomas E. Stegman
Mrs. Theodore W. Striker
Ariel Quartet Supporters
The Friedlander Family
Karl Zipser
Chamber Music at CCM
Elizabeth Ann Leman Muennich MD, PhD, in memory of John Leman
Jan Rogers
Willard and Jean Mulford Charitable Fund of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation
Choral Studies Supporters
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph W. Hirschhorn
Philharmonia Supporters
Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation
Starling Pre-Collegiate Supporter
Starling Strings Supporter
Holly Brians Ragusa and Damon Ragusa
Dr. Timothy E. and Janet L. Johnson
Thom Miles and Roberta Gary
Strader Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Dr. Stephen G. Schaeffer
Organ Department Supporters
Keyboard Club of Cincinnati
L. Ried Schott
Carl Rhodes & Lori Luchtman-Jones
Piano Department Supporters
Kevin and Nancy Rhein
Wind Studies Supporters
Willis Music
LINKS Instrument Donation Supporter
Supporters listed as of August 2026
Located in the CCM Atrium, the Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 12:30-6 p.m.; Saturday, noon-4 p.m.; and one hour prior to curtain for all ticketed performances. MasterCard, Visa and Discover cards are accepted.
Convenient parking is available in the CCM Garage at the base of Corry Boulevard off of Jefferson Avenue. Additional parking is available in garages throughout the UC campus. Any questions concerning on-campus parking should be directed to UC Parking Services at 513-556-2283.
If you find that you cannot attend your performance, your tickets may be donated for tax credit as a charitable contribution. Simply notify the Box Office prior to the performance to release your seats, and give your name and address. A tax donation receipt will be mailed to you.
The health and safety of our community remains our top priority. Based on current conditions, performance venues will be reduced to 50% capacity and all individuals, including audience members and performers, are required to wear facial coverings indoors, following guidelines from the CDC and UC's physician-led COVID response team. Additional measures may be in place as conditions develop based on guidance from the CDC and UC's physician-led COVID response team. Visit the UC Public Health website and CCM's COVID-19 website for additional information and updates.
If you have lost an item, contact lost and found at 513-556-9413.
The House Manager has been instructed to minimize the disturbance to patrons already seated when accommodating latecomers. The director and producer of each production select times that are least likely to interrupt the performance, and latecomers will be seated only during these times. Latecomers who miss these opportunities will not be admitted until intermission. Children under the age of 6 will not be admitted.
The video or audio recording of performances is prohibited.
The use of cameras, with or without flashes, recording devices, cellular phones and other electronic devices inside the theater is prohibited. Please leave them with the House Manager.
Smoking and refreshments are not permitted in the theater. Effective May 1, 2017, smoking and tobacco use (including chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes) shall be prohibited by students, staff, faculty, visitors, vendors and contractors at all times in or on University of Cincinnati properties, including events on university property during non-school hours. This includes all shelters, indoor and outdoor theaters and athletic facilities, bridges, walkways, sidewalks, residence halls, parking lots, and street parking and garages owned by the university.
Telex listening devices are available for checkout during performances in both Patricia Corbett Theater and Corbett Auditorium. Please inquire at the Box Office.
Wheelchair seating is available in both Corbett Auditorium and Patricia Corbett Theater. Seating is limited, so reservations should be made with the Box Office when ordering tickets. These seats are subject to availability.
The Box Office can accommodate groups for major productions and concerts. Preview and benefit performances are also available for some productions. For more information, call the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183.
CCM's faculty and staff and its state-of-the-art facilities make possible the professional training and exceptional education on which CCM believes the future of the arts relies. The school's roster of eminent faculty regularly receives distinguished honors for creative and scholarly work, and its alumni have achieved notable success in the performing and media arts. More than 150 internationally recognized faculty members work with students from around the world, specializing in eight areas of study.
Performance dates and repertoire are subject to change. View CCM's current calendar of events.
The purpose of these performances is educational, and they are part of a University of Cincinnati academic program.