ENAensemble is a dynamic and vibrant organization that crafts captivating experiences through the fusion of opera, theater, cinema, music, cabaret, and art. We believe in the power of storytelling and strive to create performances that leave a lasting impression on our audiences. We carefully curate teams of exciting musical forces, mainly emerging artists local to Philadelphia, to bring a rich tapestry of diverse narratives to life.
Recent projects include the 2022-2023 Serial Opera Project - a multi-month reading series of three new mini-operas based loosely on the theme of the celestial. Each opera was written by a different composer-librettist team and presented at the Free Library of Philadelphia and Temple University’s Charles Library - providing many members of the community with the opportunity to see their first opera and engage in a talk-back session.
Our very first season saw the unprecedented programming of The Propaganda Machine Show, a three-part performance of film, opera, and cabaret as part of the 2018 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. We followed on the heels of this venture with a staged performance of Schönberg’s Pierrot Lunaire, and our first partnership with the Free Library through our Serial Opera Project The Elevator.
ENAensemble was founded in 2018 by Evan Kassof, Nicole Renna, and Anaïs Naharro-Murphy. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative, non-hierarchical rehearsal environment that nurtures the collective voice of our artists. While we do not aim to moralize, we recognize the importance of diverse perspectives and provide a platform for these voices to be heard. Through the fusion of multiple art forms, we transcend boundaries and create immersive experiences that captivate, inspire, and provoke conversation.
Our Founding Members:
Evan Kassof – Music Director, Conductor, Composer, Opera-Maker, Occasional Administrator, Full-time Jokester
Nicole Renna – Director, Soprano, Cabaret Deviser, Staging Guru, Graphic Design Connection, Less-than-Anaïs-level-Diva
Anaïs Naharro-Murphy – Artistic Director, Soprano, Opera Diva, Cinema Connection, More-than-occasional Administrator
