Story perspectives

Gregory Spears' 'Sleepers Awake' Reimagines Sleeping Beauty Premiere

4/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Gregory Spears's opera Sleepers Awake premieres April 26 at Opera Philadelphia.
The work reinterprets Sleeping Beauty, featuring a chorus that celebrates the couple but falls back into slumber.
The opera explores time, looping narratives, and the blending of musical histories.
Spears, nearing 49, has established himself in American music, with recent works including Secrets and a national tour for Fellow Travelers, while his Virginia roots shaped his artistic vision.

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Story summary

Gregory Spears's opera Sleepers Awake premieres April 26 at Opera Philadelphia.
The work reinterprets Sleeping Beauty, featuring a chorus that celebrates the couple but falls back into slumber.
The opera explores time, looping narratives, and the blending of musical histories.
Spears, nearing 49, has established himself in American music, with recent works including Secrets and a national tour for Fellow Travelers, while his Virginia roots shaped his artistic vision.