Opera in Development: Nava Avaz

Created by members of the Iranian Female Composers Association

The opera tells the story of Nava Avaz, a young woman who is imprisoned and tortured by the Islamic Regime in Iran for, seemingly, not wearing a hijab. The real reason for her arrest is her father, a scientist who discovered the key to the world of dreams—a world the regime seeks to control. In her prison cell Nava is visited by three prominent Iranian female poets and sources of social change: Rabi’a Balkhi (10th century poet), Tahirih Qurrat al-Ayn (late 19th century), Forugh Farrokhzad (mid-20th century.) By revealing the truth about her life, each of these women empower and help Nava navigate her path and liberate herself. The poets represent the struggle of Iranian women for equal participation in the society. Despite being ignored, vilified, and even murdered for their cause, Rabia’a, Tahirih, and Forugh’s legacy of resistance, perseverance, authenticity continues to live in millions of Iranian women. Nava is a symbol of contemporary Iranian women who have inherited the bravery, desire for justice, and liberation from previous generations and who fight with their lives to fulfill the collective dream of freedom.

The development of Nava Avaz received funding from OPERA America’s Opera Grants for Women Composers: Discovery Grants program, supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, as well as The MAP Fund, supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, and Mellon Foundation.