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Birds and Balls Tickets

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On the schedule

Birds and Balls Tour Dates & Tickets

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Inside the performance

Sound, stage & company

Onstage company

Documented collaborators

Birds and Balls is a world-premiere double bill that brings two distinct one-act operas to the stage: Vinkensport, or The Finch Opera (Birds) by David T. Little with Royce Vavrek, and Balls by Laura Karpman with librettist Gail Collins. Produced by Opera Parallèle in collaboration with SFJAZZ, this groundbreaking pairing explores competition and gender through narratives rooted in bird-sport history and sports culture. The 2024 SFJAZZ Miner Auditorium engagement ran four performances from April 5–7, with a post-show tennis-themed event on April 6. While Birds & Balls is a live-stage production, the collaboration highlights the creativity of contemporary opera and the ongoing partnerships that make these productions possible. We’ve got you covered for future opportunities to experience this unique program through official channels.

The live experience

What reaches the room

Note: Birds & Balls does not have a standalone public discography since this is a staged performance. For ongoing updates and future projects, follow Opera Parallèle and SFJAZZ, the primary sources of information and ticket access.

Onstage company

Documented collaborators

Biography, discography highlights, and upcoming tour information are drawn from company press materials and reputable coverage. For official updates, connect with Opera Parallèle and SFJAZZ through their verified channels. We’ll help you secure your seats when Birds and Balls returns to the stage or when related programs are announced.

The essentials

Quick Facts About Birds and Balls

  • Birds & Balls is a world-premiere double bill pairing two one-act operas: Vinkensport, or The Finch Opera (Birds) by David T. Little with Royce Vavrek, and Balls by Laura Karpman with Gail Collins. This pairing was produced by Opera Parallèle in collaboration with SFJAZZ.
  • The 2024 SFJAZZ Miner Auditorium engagement ran four performances from April 5–7, 2024, with a post-show tennis-themed event on April 6. The production was staged to explore competition and gender themes through both bird-sport and sports-history narratives.
  • Laura Karpman is described as an Oscar-nominated composer (alongside librettist Gail Collins) for Balls; David T. Little is a co-creator of the Birds segment, with Royce Vavrek as librettist. These credits are highlighted in company and industry coverage. ([operaparallele.org](https://operaparallele.org/birdsballsprogram/?utm_source=openai))
  • No dedicated Birds & Balls artist discography exists (the work is a live-stage production, not a recording artist). Last publicly listed performances were in 2024; 2025 season news centers on other Opera Parallèle projects like The Pigeon Keeper, not Birds & Balls. ([sfjazz.org](https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/23-24/birds-balls/?utm_source=openai))
  • Social media presence for Birds & Balls is not published as a separate artist account; follow Opera Parallèle and SFJAZZ for official updates on productions like Birds & Balls. OP and SFJAZZ maintain active channels for their programs. ([operaparallele.org](https://operaparallele.org/home/?utm_source=openai))

Biography

Birds and Balls presents a collaboration-driven, contemporary opera experience. The project features two leading composer-librettist teams at the cutting edge of modern classical theatre. David T. Little, a renowned composer known for his dynamic scoring and theatre-forward sensibilities, co-created Birds alongside librettist Royce Vavrek. Laura Karpman leads Balls with librettist Gail Collins; Karpman is an Oscar-nominated composer celebrated for her versatility across film, television, and live performance. The pairing underscores a shared interest in social themes, narrative experimentation, and the power of live music-making to illuminate contemporary storylines.

As part of their engagement, Opera Parallèle and SFJAZZ have positioned Birds and Balls within a broader conversation about gender, competition, and history—using sport-inspired narratives to explore human dynamics on stage.

Discography Highlights (Context)

Birds and Balls is a live-stage production rather than a traditional album-based project. While there is no standalone Birds & Balls discography, the composers and librettists behind the works have extensive bodies of work you can explore:

  • David T. Little: Notable contemporary operas and orchestral works; known for bold, narrative-driven scores.
  • Royce Vavrek: Acclaimed librettist with multiple collaborations in modern opera.
  • Laura Karpman: Oscar-nominated composer with a broad catalog across film, TV, and stage; prolific collaborator with Gail Collins on Balls.
  • Gail Collins: Librettist and writer with notable contributions to contemporary opera narratives.

Upcoming Tour Info

Birds and Balls is a project tied to Opera Parallèle and SFJAZZ programming. Future appearances depend on the orchestration of new productions and company scheduling. When announced, tickets will be available through the official partners, and we’ll share practical details to help you secure your seats safely and efficiently.

What to Expect at a Birds and Balls Performance

  • Two one-act operas presented in a single evening, offering a cohesive yet distinct exploration of competition and gender through music, storytelling, and staging.
  • Live orchestral accompaniment, with contemporary vocal writing and dynamic dramatic direction.
  • Post-show events or discussions may accompany engagements (as with the 2024 Miner Auditorium run).

Artist and Company Profiles

Birds and Balls is supported by and associated with Opera Parallèle and SFJAZZ. These organizations provide the official channels for updates, ticketing, and programming information. For ongoing news and announcements, follow the organizations below:

Social media: Birds and Balls does not publish a separate artist account. For official updates, follow Opera Parallèle and SFJAZZ on their verified channels.

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