How's Your Historical Gaydar? A Night with West Edge Opera
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Wasn't he? "How’s Your Historical Gaydar?" is a fun exploration of historical figures and sexuality. Drawing on West Edge Opera’s upcoming west coast premiere production of American Apollo, a new opera explores one of art history’s most tantalizing open questions.
This is not a lecture. This is not a typical opera preview. It is an evening about identity, desire, art, and the stories we tell — and don’t tell. Live performances and an equally lively discussion.
Singers include:
- Markel Reed who plays Thomas McKeller,
- John Bellemer who plays John Singer Sargent,
- Jonathan Khuner, West Edge Opera Music Director on piano.
Panel:
- Mark Streshinsky, West Edge Opera General Director
- Marc Stein, author
- Jamie and Phyllis Pasker, Professor of History at San Francisco State University.
About American Apollo: American Apollo imagines a relationship between the celebrated American Portrait artist John Singer Sargent and his muse and model, Thomas Eugene McKeller, a Black hotel worker. Though McKeller’s body shaped some of Sargent’s most iconic works, his name and identity were largely erased from history. What begins as an artistic opportunity evolves into an intimate exploration of race, class, power, and sexuality. American Apollo is a love story that explores who gets immortalized, who is left unnamed, and what it means to claim your own story.
westedgeopera.org
TO ATTEND:
- This free event is open to all.
- $20 General Admission
Members may receive up to (6) tickets FREE. Doors will open at 7:30pm.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY.
While this event is open to all, our club members receive free or discounted admission to our events, full club access, and much more.
This is not a lecture. This is not a typical opera preview. It is an evening about identity, desire, art, and the stories we tell — and don’t tell. Live performances and an equally lively discussion.
Singers include:
- Markel Reed who plays Thomas McKeller,
- John Bellemer who plays John Singer Sargent,
- Jonathan Khuner, West Edge Opera Music Director on piano.
Panel:
- Mark Streshinsky, West Edge Opera General Director
- Marc Stein, author
- Jamie and Phyllis Pasker, Professor of History at San Francisco State University.
About American Apollo: American Apollo imagines a relationship between the celebrated American Portrait artist John Singer Sargent and his muse and model, Thomas Eugene McKeller, a Black hotel worker. Though McKeller’s body shaped some of Sargent’s most iconic works, his name and identity were largely erased from history. What begins as an artistic opportunity evolves into an intimate exploration of race, class, power, and sexuality. American Apollo is a love story that explores who gets immortalized, who is left unnamed, and what it means to claim your own story.
westedgeopera.org
TO ATTEND:
- This free event is open to all.
- $20 General Admission
Members may receive up to (6) tickets FREE. Doors will open at 7:30pm.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY.
While this event is open to all, our club members receive free or discounted admission to our events, full club access, and much more.
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Where is it happening?
2166 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, United States, California 94114
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherThe Academy SF
