Author: Alfredo Casuso

September 18 Acclaimed Operatic Soprano Breanna Sinclairé Featured Soloist in World Premiere of Andrew Yee’s Trans Requiem at Trinity

Media Contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Acclaimed Operatic Soprano Breanna Sinclairé
Featured Soloist in World Premiere of Andrew Yee’s Trans Requiem
at Trinity NYC September 18

NOVUS “Renewal: Undivided” concert invites audiences into empathy and transformation;
free registration recommended

10 September 2025 — San Francisco / New York: NOVUS, Trinity’s acclaimed new-music ensemble, continues its groundbreaking Renewal series with Undivided, culminating in the world premiere of Andrew Yee’s Trans Requiem on Thursday, September 18, a large-scale work for trans voices, choirs, and orchestra commissioned by Trinity. Internationally recognized soprano Breanna Sinclairé joins fellow soloist Katherine Goforth, the Trinity Choir, Trinity Youth Chorus, and NOVUS in this bold celebration of authenticity and dignity.

“Trans Requiem gives voice to memory, resilience, and joy—without apology,” said Breanna Sinclairé. “To sing this premiere with Trinity is to stand in the light with my community and say: our stories are sacred, our lives are music, and every voice deserves to be heard.”

In addition to Trans Requiem, the program features a Trinity arrangement of Samuel Barber’s Agnus Dei (Adagio for Strings) and Pauline Oliveros’ Sonic Meditations, inviting everyone in the church to become performers and collaborators—an immersive act of community listening and shared breath.

“Trinity’s Renewal series is about transforming how we gather and why we sing,” said Melissa Baker, Director, Artistic Planning for Trinity. “Andrew Yee’s Trans Requiem expands the choral-orchestral tradition with a powerful, deeply personal statement. With Breanna Sinclairé, Katherine Goforth, our choirs, and NOVUS, audiences will experience an evening of empathy, courage, and breathtaking artistry.”

Breanna Sinclairé is an acclaimed American soprano and the first transgender woman to sing the U.S. national anthem at a professional sporting event. A graduate of CalArts and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, she has appeared with leading artists and orchestras at major venues across the U.S. and Europe, in productions including Carmen, The Magic Flute, and La Calisto. Sinclairé was featured in the opera-film Bound (Against the Grain Theatre), starred in PBS’s True Colors: LGBTQ+ Our Stories, Our Songs, and was honored by the San Francisco Business Times as an Outstanding Voice. Media features include The New York Times, NPR, and CNN. More: breannasinclaire.com.

Trinity Church NYC is an Episcopal parish in Lower Manhattan known for a vibrant spiritual life and a globally recognized music program. Through the Trinity Choir, Trinity Youth Chorus, and NOVUS (Trinity’s new-music ensemble), Trinity commissions, performs, and records repertoire spanning centuries, with a special commitment to new work that speaks to today. Trinity’s concerts, community partnerships, and free or low-cost offerings make world-class music accessible to all while fostering creativity, compassion, and civic engagement.

Performance details
Thursday, September 18, 2025 — 7:00 p.m. (recorded performance)
Venue: Trinity Church (Wall Street)
Tickets: Free; registration highly recommended as seating is limited
Registration: event page here
We suggest arriving 45 minutes before start time. Admission is first-come, first-served, with ticket holders receiving priority (not guaranteed if capacity is reached).

Program at a Glance

• World Premiere: Andrew Yee — Trans Requiem (commissioned by Trinity)
• Samuel Barber — Agnus Dei (Adagio for Strings), Trinity arrangement
• Pauline Oliveros — Sonic Meditations (audience-participatory)

Performers: Breanna Sinclairé (soprano), Katherine Goforth (soloist), Trinity Choir, Trinity Youth Chorus, and NOVUS.

Registration (free): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/novus-renewal-undivided-tickets-1542599750379?aff=MusicNewsletter

Orvieto 1943: War, Memory, and the Stories We Still Tell

On September 9, 1943, the people of Orvieto awoke to a new reality. Italy had just signed the Armistice of Cassibile, surrendering to the Allies and breaking with Nazi Germany. Within hours, German troops swept into Umbria, executing Operation Achse, a lightning-fast plan to occupy central and northern Italy.

Perched on its volcanic cliffs between Florence and Rome, Orvieto’s strategic location made it a vital prize. German soldiers disarmed Italian troops, imposed curfews, and requisitioned supplies. The city’s majestic Gothic cathedral, a symbol of endurance and beauty, became the silent witness to fear, hunger, and uncertainty.

Tragedy at the Bridge of Allerona

Beyond Orvieto’s walls, the war’s cruelty struck in an unexpected way. On January 28, 1944, Allied bombers targeted the bridge at Allerona as a German train crossed it. Unknown to the pilots, that train was filled with Allied prisoners of war. The attack killed and wounded hundreds in one of the most devastating friendly-fire disasters of the campaign. Survivors described leaping from flaming boxcars into the Tiber River below—a moment of chaos and despair still etched in memory.

The Seven Martyrs

Inside Orvieto, resistance had its price. On March 22, 1944, seven young men accused of aiding partisans were executed by the occupying Germans. They became the “Sette Martiri di Orvieto” (Seven Martyrs of Orvieto), a permanent symbol of courage and sacrifice. Their story continues to inspire, standing for all those who risked their lives to defy tyranny.

Liberation and the “Open City”

By early June 1944, Allied troops were pressing north after the fall of Rome. To preserve its historic center from destruction, Orvieto was declared an “open city.” The decision—shaped in part by quiet negotiations between the German commander and local clergy—saved the cathedral and much of Orvieto’s heritage. When Allied forces entered soon after, they found a community exhausted but intact, emerging from nine months of occupation and grief.

History in Modern Storytelling

These events have not faded into silence. Instead, they continue to inspire writers and artists:

• In Colloquia, playwright David Zarko explores the clandestine friendship between German commander Alfred Lersen and Monsignor Francesco Pieri, Orvieto’s bishop. Meeting in the cathedral, they converse in Latin, share music, and ultimately influence the city’s salvation as an open city.

• In Upon This Rock, author David Eugene Perry threads Orvieto’s wartime shadows into a modern thriller. A visiting American couple uncovers Vatican secrets and conspiracies tied to the city’s WWII past, blending history, faith, and mystery into a compelling narrative.

A City That Remembers

Today, Orvieto is admired for its beauty and art, but beneath the cobblestones lies another story—one of resilience in the face of war. From the ruins of the Allerona bridge to the memorial of the Seven Martyrs, the echoes of 1943 are never far away. They remind us that history here is not just remembered; it is still alive, inspiring new generations of stories.

media contact:  David Perry & Associates, Inc / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

Saturday, September 13 
Porchfest Benicia and the Benicia Moms Group Present
 “Little Porch Heads” Family Festival

8 September Benicia, CA: As famed composer Richard Rodgers said: “Music is the universal language of childhood.” So this year’s second annual Porchfest Benicia (www.porchfest-benicia.com) Little Porch Heads”on Saturday, September 13 (12pm – 5pm) will give everyone a lot to talk — and sing out — about!

“This year’s Little Porch Heads will be an absolute delight,” said Mary Hand, Publisher of Benicia Magazine and creative force behind the free musical festival. “Last year, it was heart-warming to see our porches and streets filled not just with music, but with the laughter of children and families discovering joy and the power of music together.”

A partnership with the Benicia Moms Group,“Little Porch Heads is a special family festival inside Porchfest at City Park on Saturday, September 13 from 11am – 2pm. Families can kick back, spread out a blanket, and enjoy live music by InHarmony, face painting, hands-on activities hosted by Lo’s Playtown. Refreshing Kona Ice,and  complimentary waters, juice, and snack bags will be served, courtesy of the Benicia Moms Group.

“Free and open to all, “Little Porch Heads” is the perfect way to relax in the grass, soak up the good vibes, and let the kids play before heading right into the rest of the PorchFest celebration downtown,” said Hand, noting that the full festival kicks off at 1pm.

With more than 10,000 attendees last year filling Benicia’s historic streets and enjoying music-and-play performances—and families exploring dedicated children’s activities— Porchfest Benicia has already become one of the Bay Area’s most anticipated family-friendly community experiences. The Kids’ Zone brings families and local visitors together for a free day of live music, interactive play areas, and sweet treats—designed especially for children.

“This is the perfect back-to-school season family outing,” said Benicia Mayor Steve Young. “This festival has captured not only the heart of Benicia general, but the hearts of our youngest citizens, too. Benicia has always encouraged creativity and connection across generations, and Porchfest’s children’s component beautifully embodies that spirit. We were thrilled by the turnout of families last year and we can’t wait to welcome even more this year.”

“Porchfest is all about bringing people together—big and small alike,” said Hand. “We’re excited to build on last year’s success with more children’s acts, more interactive play, more kid-centric treats—and of course, even more smiling little faces.”

Porchfest is an annual celebration that began in Ithaca, New York, in 2007, and has since spread across the United States and Canada. It brings together local musicians, families, and community members to showcase talents—and childhood wonder—on front porches, storefronts, and driveways, promoting a sense of community pride and inclusion. Nestled on the Carquinez Strait, Benicia is a city rich in history and culture, known for its vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, and warm, family-friendly community.

FREE Performance Sunday, Sept 7 – World Arts West at Presidio Tunnel Tops

FREE! Sunday, September 7 (1pm – 4pm) World Arts West Dance Festival: A global tour of dance in one afternoon at Tunnel Tops.  The 2025 World Arts West Dance Festival  wraps up its third and final weekend at Presidio Tunnel Tops! This year’s festival features dance workshops, artist dialogues, communal activities and more in venues across the city emphasizing the theme of “Dance as Health and Healing.”

FREE but please register at the link below:

Greater Palm Springs Events

October 2025 – April 2026

(including Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio, Indian Wells, and Cathedral City) 

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October 2025

• Modernism Week – October (Palm Springs): A midcentury-modern extravaganza with over 50 architecture tours, design events, and social gatherings from October 16–19, 2025. 

• Weekly VillageFest (Downtown Palm Springs): A vibrant street fair with artisans, street food, and entertainment, held every Thursday evening (e.g., October 2, 9, 16, …). 

• Blue Zones Well-Being Festival (Wellness Park): A wellness-focused event with fitness and community activities on October 4, 2025. 

• Martha’s Village & Kitchen “Spooktacular” 5K/10K Run (Ruth Hardy Park): Halloween-themed run supporting local homelessness navigation services on October 11, 2025. 

• Plus an array of October concerts and performances at venues like The Show (Rancho Mirage) and the Plaza Theatre, including:

• Trace Adkins (Oct 4)

• The Life and Music of George Michael (Oct 10)

• Billy Bob Thornton (Oct 17)

• Morrissey (Oct 24)

• Zakk Sabbath (Oct 30)

• Mammoth WVH Myles Kennedy (Oct 31) 

• Frey House II Tour + Museum Day Pass at Palm Springs Art Museum – October 4

• Joshua Tree Music Festival – October 9–12(Joshua Tree area) 

• Paint El Paseo Pink – October 11

• Yum Food Fest & Night Market (Palm Desert) – October 11–12

• Architectural Preservation Awards (Palm Springs Art Museum) – October 11

• Bosoms & Brews Fest for breast cancer awareness – October 16

• Boz Scaggs concert – October 17

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November 2025

• Palm Springs Pride – November 6–9, with the Parade on November 9 (downtown). 

• Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival (Palm Springs Stadium) – around November 15–16.

• Regular Thursday VillageFest continues. 

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December 2025

• Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade – December 6, downtown Palm Springs. 

• Holiday-themed entertainment at Plaza Theatre – including shows like Lily Tomlin, Billy Porter, Fortune Feimster, “Cool Yule and Modern Men”, Jane Lynch, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Brad Williams, Jim Brickman – throughout December. 

• Weekly VillageFest continues through December. 

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January 2026

• Palm Springs International Film Festival – held annually in early January; previous dates included January 6–16, 2023. Expect similar timing for 2026. 

• Plaza Theatre Performances:

• Herman’s Hermits and Peter Noone – January 10

• Bianca Del Rio – January 21–22

• Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood – January 23

• Don McLean – January 30

• VillageFest continues weekly.

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February 2026

• Plaza Theatre Performances:

• Joss Stone – February 9

• Micky Dolenz – February 15

• VillageFest continues.

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March 2026

• Plaza Theatre Performances:

• Judy Collins – March 1

• Paula Poundstone – March 6

• Vicki Lawrence & Mama – March 8

• Matthew Morrison – March 22

• Marshall Charloff & The Purple Experience – March 29

• VillageFest continues.

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April 2026

• VillageFest continues weekly.

• While the Coachella and Stagecoachfestivals fall just outside April in 2025, keep an eye on official dates for 2026—likely in mid to late April or early May depending on the calendar year.

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Event Calendar at a Glance

Month Highlights

October Modernism Week – October, VillageFest, concerts, festivals (Joshua Tree, art markets)

November Pride Week + Parade, Food & Wine Fest, VillageFest

December Festival of Lights Parade, festive shows at Plaza Theatre, VillageFest

January Film Festival, live performances at Plaza Theatre, VillageFest

February Concerts at Plaza Theatre, VillageFest

March Performances at Plaza Theatre, VillageFest

April VillageFest; watch for Coachella & Stagecoach announcements