NEW YORK — The little OPERA theatre of ny (LOTNY) will present a revival of American composer Carlisle Floyd’s Wuthering Heights from November 19 to 22, 2026, at the Loreto Theater in the Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, bringing the rarely performed opera back to New York City for the first time since 1959.
The four-performance engagement forms part of nationwide celebrations marking the centennial of Floyd’s birth and highlights the continuing importance of his contributions to American opera.
Based on Emily Brontë’s celebrated 1847 novel, the production revisits the tragic relationship between Cathy and Heathcliff through Floyd’s distinctive combination of lyrical composition and dramatic storytelling.
Wuthering Heights Returns to New York After More Than Six Decades
Floyd’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights premiered at Santa Fe Opera in 1958 before receiving a revised presentation by New York City Opera in 1959.
The upcoming production marks the work’s return to New York audiences after more than six decades.
Set against the Yorkshire Moors in England, the opera follows Cathy and Heathcliff, whose childhood connection develops into an intense romantic relationship. Their struggle between personal desires and social expectations ultimately leads to devastating consequences.
Floyd’s score combines rich harmonies with expressive vocal writing, bringing an American operatic perspective to one of British literature’s most enduring stories.
Production Celebrates Carlisle Floyd’s Centennial
Born in 1926, Floyd became one of the defining figures of twentieth-century American opera.
His major compositions include Susannah, Of Mice and Men and Prince of Players.
Throughout his career, Floyd received numerous honours, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1956, induction into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2001 and the National Medal of Arts in 2004.
His work also earned international recognition, with Susannah selected as the official American operatic entry at the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair.
Floyd died in 2021 at the age of 95.
Little OPERA Theatre Builds on Previous Carlisle Floyd Productions
The upcoming presentation will be LOTNY’s third production featuring Floyd’s compositions.
In 2014, the company presented Slow Dusk & Markheim, followed by the New York City premiere of Prince of Players in 2017.
Floyd attended both productions and participated directly in the development of the latter.
The company’s earlier performances attracted favourable critical attention, including recognition from Opera News, The New York Times and New York Classical Review.
Founded in 2004, LOTNY has developed a reputation for presenting lesser-known operatic works, American compositions and contemporary interpretations of classical material.
Its previous programming has included works by Benjamin Britten, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, William Grant Still and Kurt Weill.
Cast and Creative Team Announced
The production features alternating performers in several principal roles.
Sopranos Vanessa Isiguen and Sara Kennedy will share the role of Cathy, while baritones Markel Reed and Wayne Hu will portray Heathcliff.
Janara Kellerman and Margaret Lattimore will perform as Nelly, with Charles Styles and Ryan Allais appearing as Edgar.
Additional performers include Elizabeth Novella, Teresa Castillo, Tom Walters, Spencer Hamlin, Bert K. Johnson, David Gordon and Chad Kranak.
Richard Cordova will conduct the production, with Philip Shneidman directing.
The creative team also includes choreographer Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish, costume designer Lara de Bruijn, scenic designer Claire Karoff and lighting designer Nick Solyom.
Performance Schedule and Ticket Information
The four performances are scheduled as follows:
| Date | Performance time |
|---|---|
| Thursday, November 19 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Friday, November 20 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, November 21 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, November 22 | 3:00 p.m. |
All performances will take place at the Loreto Theater, Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, located at 18 Bleecker Street in New York City.
General admission tickets range from US$30 to US$60, with US$15 student rush tickets available on performance days upon presentation of valid identification.
The production receives lead sponsorship from the Margo Leavin Foundation, with additional public funding support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
For LOTNY, the revival represents both a tribute to an influential American composer and an opportunity to introduce a new generation of audiences to Floyd’s interpretation of Brontë’s literary classic.
The engagement will also mark the company’s first production in New York’s NoHo neighbourhood, continuing its efforts to expand access to distinctive operatic performances across the city.
