My Name is Florence: Encore Concert

Tickets are on sale now!

Friday, January 8 at 7:30pm
Saturday, January 9 at 7:30pm

A Minnesota Opera New Works Initiative Production

MUSIC BY B.E. BOYKIN
LIBRETTO BY HARRISON DAVID RIVERS

Who was Florence Price, beyond the music? Prolific American composer Florence Price made history as the first Black woman to have a symphony performed by a major U.S. orchestra. My Name is Florence was inspired by writings and correspondence unearthed in the backyard of her family home. Composed by B.E. Boykin to a libretto by Harrison David Rivers, the opera presents vignettes from Price’s life that bring into focus the impact of family, legacy, and the transformative power of a seat at the piano. With warmth and humor, My Name is Florence explores the complexities of identity, generational connection, and ultimately the power of music to transform. It is a celebration of Price’s enduring legacy in music and a reclamation of the space she occupies within the American musical canon.

Following its acclaimed world premiere at Minnesota Opera in January 2026, My Name is Florence returns for two special encore concert performances featuring the full original cast, MN Opera Orchestra, and MN Opera Chorus. Experience this beautiful and moving new work in the Ordway Concert Hall. The performances will be captured live and produced by Lexicon Classics.

Location

Ordway Concert Hall
345 Washington St
St Paul, MN 55102


ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

HEALTH AND SAFETY


This performance and live capture is made possible through the generosity of Dr. Jennine Speier.

 

Estimated Run Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

 

Composer Biography

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B.E. Boykin

B.E. (Brittney Elizabeth) Boykin is a distinguished composer, conductor and pianist, renowned for her dynamic artistry and profound contributions to the world of music…

Librettist Biography

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Harrison David Rivers

Harrison David Rivers is an award-winning playwright, librettist and television writer based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Harrison’s works include Straddle (Diversionary), we are continuous…

SYNOPSIS

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Little Rock, Arkansas, 1900 – Florence Beatrice (Beatrice) practices the piano under the watchful eye of her mother – who is also named Florence. Later, Beatrice’s father distracts her from her lessons with a game of “what could you not live without?” … Beatrice replies that she could not live without music.

A Closer Look

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Interviews with the creators

View and read behind the scenes interviews leading up to the 2026 premiere with New Works Initiative cohort members B.E. Boykin and Harrison David Rivers as they discuss the inspiration and process that led to their opera My Name is Florence.

Florence Price

Thank You to Friends of Florence

Marcia J. Aubineau
Barry Berg and Walter Tambor
Alan and Kathlyn Boykin
Mikalia Bradberry, in memory of Angel Bradberry
Anne Briggs, in honor of Wanda Gowan
Lisa Butcher, in memory of Connie Cameron
Janelle Erickson and Gary Tassone
Erin Flannery and Ryan Weston, in honor of Siena Forest
Siena Forest
Anne Grosse and Trevor Franda

Kajsa Jones-Higgins and Galen Higgins
Jenny Kelley, in memory of Kathryn Hennig
Susan and Mark Leppke
Kristin and Jim Matejcek
Kenny Piatt and Amanda Cook
Barton and Kimberly Reed
Emily Skoblik-Diallo and Samballa Diallo, in honor of Siena Forest
Kelsey Sorenson
William White
Lani Willis and Joel Spoonheim
Eric Wolf

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