Seven short, new operas at Peabody focus on 'Women's Studies'

Plot descriptions from the seven operas suggest a very provocative evening in store:

Joshua Bornfield's "On Your Own Time" (he wrote the libretto as well as the score) addresses sexual harassment in the workplace. Jon Carter provided music and text for "Missed Connections," which is inspired by personal ads on Craigslist and involves "a married woman who has started to question her sexuality."

Zhangyi Chen's "April Showers," with text by Elizabeth Dow, focuses on

a bride-to-be and her bridesmaids on the eve of the wedding. Daniel Gil-Marca is composer and librettist for "Just Tomorrow," which examines the lives of two sisters facing crises a year after their mother’s death. Emily Koh's "Generations," with a libretto by Katherine Krueger, looks at women from four generations of one family.

Jake Runestad's "The Toll," with text by Elizabeth Reeves, takes off on the Cinderella fairytale, the challenge of " 'happily ever after,' and what compromises must be made in order to attain it." And "Cheated," with words and music by Jeff Zeiders, revolves around a woman who discovers her husband is unfaithful.

PHOTO OF EMILY KOH BY WASIN PRASERTLAP PHOTOGRAPHY FROM EMILY KOH.NET