Photo by Geoff Sheil

Elisabeth Mehl Greene's new opera Hajar synthesizes the Jewish and Islamic stories of Hagar/Hajar into a modern tale of a Syrian refugee mother and her son trying to reach safety in America. Hajar confronts the immigration crisis in the United States and worldwide, challenging the acceptance of policies that resist compassion. 

Maryland Opera Studio students premiere an opera by the winner of the annual Opera Composition Contest. In its third year, the contest is a joint initiative of the Maryland Opera Studio and Artist Partner Program to support the cultivation and performance of new work.

This event is part of the Year of Immigration, which aims to transform dialogue into impact on urgent issues related to immigration, global migration and refugees, and to foster open conversation and greater connection with the University of Maryland’s large and diverse international community.