“Nika’s rapturous score is very much of our time; it is direct and approachable, but carries within it other, older ways of experiencing [the story]…”

- Charles Jarden, The American Opera Project

“This music is what modern composition should be - full of emotion and interesting harmonies while obeying the laws of beauty!”

- Martin Mazik, conductor (National Theater Bratislava/ Wichita Grand Opera)

“Nika’s music is so intuitive and so well written for the voice. [Nika] created such a musical universe for the opera that feels familiar [to return to]…“

- Maggie Finnegan, soprano

“Nika Leoni … is an exceptionally talented composer and singer, with triumphant femininity manifest in her music as well as her appearance, and definitely worthy of our very special attention…”

- Margarita Shklyarevskaya, Russian Bazaar, New York

“[Nika’s] music is so melodic and so beautiful. It feels like singing Strauss or Wagner.”

Julia Radosz, Soprano

“Nika Leoni's talent is extraordinary. ... The music has a sound of mystery and runs the gamut of feelings which Eurydice must have been experiencing…”

- Sarah B. Roberts, Adventures in the Endless Pursuit of Entertainment, New York

“The music was melodic and enjoyable … [with] shifting tonalities and … fine high notes. [Other] selections required a more powerful, almost operatic-quality voice.”

– Don Dagenais, KCMETROPOLIS.org

A new chamber opera for children
by Nika Leoni & Kathryn Thompson

The Secret of the Gold Queen: The Eve of the Battle

More details and music

News / Events

Cello Museum, New York

New York, NY

March 13, 2024

The Prelude for Cello and Piano will be spotlighted in partnership with the Cello Museum online publication, which describes itself as "an online compendium of the cello, including articles, cello news, and digital exhibitions of cellos, related images, components, and accessories.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FEATURE

"Reclaim the Muse" Concert

Saint Louis, MO

March 8, 2024

Regional premiere of the Prelude for Cello and Piano , and the Dance Suite for Two Flutes.

Festival Osmose 2023

Brussels, Belgium

November 26, 2023

The Prelude for Cello and Piano was selected to be performed at the Concert "Sur les traces de S. Rachmaninov"/ "In the steps of Rachmaninov" as part of the Festival Osmose in Brussels.

Regional Arts Commission Grant Recepient

July, 2023

THANK YOU to the Regional Arts Commission for their generous grant towards a Concert Performance of my new chamber opera for children "The Secret of the Gold Queen"!

AddAMovie Film Festival, "Day of the Dead"

AddAMovie Film Festival, New York

November 2, 2021

The video of the Death Scene from "Flame and Shadow" was chosen to be screened at the AddAMovie Film Festival in New York City as part of the "Day of the Dead" program.

The Making of "Flame and Shadow: The Passion and Pain of Sara Teasdale" Progress Video

St. Louis Fringe Festival

August 19-21, 2021

The Second Year: a virtual presentation of the opera as a work-in-progress featuring some of its music, performers' interviews, and the background stories from the creators. Presented at the St. Lou Fringe Festival in August 2021.

The Making of "Flame and Shadow: The Passion and Pain of Sara Teasdale" Introduction Video

St. Louis Fringe Festival

August 21-23, 2020

A virtual presentation of the introduction video "The Making of Flame and Shadow: The Passion and Pain of Sara Teasdale" showing the opera as a work-in-progress and featuring some of its music, performers' interviews, and the background stories from the creators Nika Leoni and Kathryn Thompson.

Radio Play Premiere

March 16-23, 2019

Nika Leoni's operatic soliloquy Euridice was selected as one of the compositions featured in Folktales and Fables on "Feminine Fusion: Featuring music by female composers" with Diane Jones, broadcast on WCNY (New York), KNVC (Nevada), and DelMarVa Public Radio (Maryland).

Flame and Shadow: The Pain and Passion of Sara Teasdale

A new opera in progress by Nika Leoni & Kathryn Thompson

Flame and Shadow: Overture

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