The Apollo Theater has announced a further development in its partnership with Opera Philadelphia. The two institutions have partnered to present the New York premiere of Charlie Parker’s Yardbird April 1, an opera that recounts the life and music of the jazz musician.

The next co-production under this multi-year partnership will be the New York premiere of We Shall Not Be Moved directed by Bill T. Jones. The opera will receive its world premiere in Philadelphia in September 2017 and is set to then immediately have its New York premiere at the Apollo Theater.

Set in Philadelphia, We Shall Not Be Moved is the story of a group of marginalized orphans who decide they want to live apart as a family and reclaim their power. It is developed by composer Daniel Bernard Roumain with librettist Marc Bamuthi Joseph.

Yardbird, which had its sold-out world premiere in Philadelphia last June, will play through April 3 at the Apollo starring Lawrence Brownlee in the title role. It is composed by Daniel Schnyder with librettist Bridgette Wimberly. Set in the famed Birdland jazz club on March 12, 1955, the day Parker died, the opera offers a rare and intimate look into the soul of the great saxophonist as he composes his final masterpiece.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit apollotheater.org.