The Toronto-based Tapestry New Opera Company recently premiered four new five-minute opera scenes written by Dr. Elisabeth Greene, adjunct professor of music at Howard Payne University.

Greene was one of five composers selected to write new opera scenes in collaboration with five acclaimed Canadian playwrights at the Tapestry Composer-Librettist Laboratory workshop in August. She was the only American composer chosen for the workshop.

“Collaborating with the excellent playwrights, performers and dramaturges to create new opera was an amazing creative opportunity,” Greene said. “The stellar performances at Opera Briefs brought the scenes to life and newly demonstrated opera’s relevance in today’s music scene.”

Four of Greene’s pieces were among scenes premiered at Opera Briefs in Toronto’s Theatre Passe Muraille on September 23-24.

“We are honored to have a composer of her stature at Howard Payne University,” said Dr. Robert Tucker, dean of music, fine arts and extended education. “We are pleased the students will have an opportunity to benefit from her gifts and experience.”