The QUEEN of opera, ​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠‪@monetxchangeofficial‬ joins the New Jersey Symphony for an opera film experience like never before! Directed by⁠​⁠​⁠ ​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠Dan Graziano (‪@hellion.vision‬ ), featuring the art of Rafael Cuello, “Opulent” explores Monét’s journey to combine drag and opera through three timeless works.
From the director:
Schubert's "Death & the Maiden" represents the comfort that can be found in the death of an old way of thinking as one becomes more self-assured and comfortable with their own identity.
Puccini's “Vecchia zimarra, senti”
from La Bohème represents giving up the potential safety that fitting into your expected societal role might provide on the road to becoming the truest form of one's self.
Mozart's “O Isis und Osiris”
from The Magic Flute represents the internal light that is found when we love ourselves for who we are; And how that light can inspire others to love themselves for who they truly are.
This project was made possible by a Special Initiative grant from the NJ State Council on the Arts
OPULENT
Created & Directed by
Dan Graziano
Starring
Monét X Change
Featured Artist
Rafael Cuello
Produced By
Dan Graziano
Rafael Cuello
Erin Lunsford Norton
Music by
The New Jersey Symphony
Chamber Players
Adriana Rosin - violin
Bryan Hernandez-Luch - violin
David Blinn - viola
Ted Ackerman - cello
Michael Baker - trumpet
Wayne Dumaine - trumpet
Larry DiBello - french horn
Brad Ward - trombone
Derek Fenstermacher - tuba
Schubert: Death & the Maiden
Original arrangement by
Daniel Stepner;
adapted by Robert Wagner

Puccini: “Vecchia zimarra, senti”
from La Bohème
Arrangement by
Robert Wagner

Mozart: “O Isis und Osiris”
from The Magic Flute
Arrangement
by
Arthur Frackenpohl
Extras
Rafael Cuello
Julio Roman
Maya Williams
Destinee Hayes Gardner
Esteban Rodriguez
Dandre Richardson
Martha Sunshine Wahulec
Zahir
Director of Photography
Dan Graziano
Editor
Dan Graziano
Audio Recording and Mixing
Dan Graziano
Set Design
Rafael Cuello
Production Assistants
Grace Liu Anderson
Ann Kim
Todd Abedrabbo
Peter Groppe
Special Thanks
Richard Kleck, Day Williams, Antonia Kitsopoulos
Dedicated to O’Shae Sibley and all the victims of
anti-queer sentiment and violence.
This project was made possible by a Special Initiative grant from the NJ State Council on the Arts.
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