Deaf West Theatre, LA Phil, Coro de Manos Blancas, and the Dudamel Foundation partnered to create inclusive experiences for Deaf communities across the United States, Venezuela, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom during the 2024 European tour of Fidelio.

In this innovative production, the story of Beethoven’s Fidelio is told through the composer’s music by hearing and Deaf musicians. The groundbreaking collaboration began with the opera's initial staging in April 2022. As the Coro de Manos Blancas prepares to return to Los Angeles for the May 2024 revival, we asked them about their experience performing and touring with the production.

The White Hands Choir (El Coro de Manos Blancas) began rehearsals earlier this month in Venezuela for the upcoming 2024 tour and European premiere of the groundbreaking production of Beethoven’s opera, Fidelio. They will return to LA in May 2024 to begin rehearsals and performances for the LA performance and European tour.

With Trenton Arts at Princeton, founder Lou Chen has tapped into a rhythm that unites Trenton and Princeton in harmony. When he launched the Trenton Youth Orchestra in partnership with Trenton Central High School while still a student at Princeton University in spring 2017, cultivating a small group of Trenton violinists and Princeton volunteers who would set the stage for a new alliance, Chen sounded the first beat in a now-five-year symphony of artistic synergy.

Trenton Arts at Princeton has announced the 2023-24 Fellows. Congratulations to Charlotte Defriez, the 2023-2024 Fellow supported by the Dudamel Foundation. Charlotte will serve as the student leader for Trenton Youth Orchestra, working alongside TYO director Lou Chen and faculty fellow Anna Lim. photo: trentonarts.princeton.edu