The Song of Sakuntala

The Song of Sakuntala is a world premiere opera by IN Series Artistic Director Timothy Nelson, inspired by Kālidāsa’s 5th-century Sanskrit masterpiece *Shakuntala* and the enduring story that has captivated composers from Schubert to Alfano. This luminous new work weaves together Western baroque and Indian classical musical traditions into a richly immersive meditation on love, loss, memory, and redemption. Its libretto draws from centuries of Indian poetry—including works by Sarojini Naidu, Rabindranath Tagore, and Vidyapati—alongside sacred passages from the *Mahabharata*, creating a layered and evocative musical world. Conceived in the spirit of an intimate Indian classical music gathering, the opera unfolds like a single, ever-transforming song, moving through longing, meditation, yearning, whispering, chanting, calling, and remembrance late into the night. The result is an extraordinary theatrical and musical experience that invites audiences into a space of deep listening, emotional resonance, and timeless storytelling.

When: June 2026, exact dates vary by venue. Performances at Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, DC: June 6 at 7pm (with after-show reception), June 7 at 2:30pm (with after-show Talkback), June 12 at 7pm, June 13 at 7pm, June 14 at 2:30pm. Performances at Baltimore Theatre Project: June 19 at 7pm (with after-show reception), June 20 at 7pm (with after-show Talkback), June 21 at 2:30pm.

Venue: Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St NE, Washington, DC; Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 West Preston Street, Baltimore, MD.

Tickets: Available via links on the IN Series website: “DC TICKETS HERE” for Atlas shows and “BALTIMORE TICKETS HERE” for Baltimore shows. For ticketing inquiries, email luz@inseries.org.

Lineup: Music by Timothy Nelson. Featuring Aryssa Leigh Burrs, Teresa Ferrara, Marvin Wayne Allen, Rajib Karmakar, Nitin Mitta, Emily Grace Konkle, Niccolo Seligmann, Stephanie Ying, Abhay Kulkarni, and Anriduh Alva Changkakoti.

Run time: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.

Ages: Not specified on the page; contact the venue or IN Series for age recommendations.

Note: This is a world premiere production. Select performances include an after-show reception (June 6 in DC, June 19 in Baltimore) or an after-show Talkback (June 7 in DC, June 20 in Baltimore). The page also mentions rehearsal trailers and a composition trailer available for viewing via clickable images, but no further details are provided. The opera is presented by IN Series, a 501c3 organization based in Washington, D.C.