COMPOSER
Kurt Weill
LYRICS BY
Langston Hughes and Elmer Rice
Taking place over two hot summer days in New York City, Kurt Weill’s two-act American opera Street Scene delves into the lives of the multi-ethnic residents of a tenement building, showcasing their hopes, dreams, and struggles. Throughout the story, musical numbers range from operatic arias to jazz and blues, reflecting the mix of cultures and emotions present in the tenement setting. Street Scene offers a commentary on the challenges faced by immigrants, the impact of poverty, and the complexities of love and relationships in a densely populated urban environment.