Opera Philadelphia: Charlie Parker's Yardbird - 6abc Loves the Arts

May 15th 2015 (WPVI) -- Opera Philadelphia closes out its 40th anniversary season with the first world premiere since its inaugural season. It's Charlie Parker's Yardbird, a new chamber opera that tells the story of one of the originators of bebop.

Despite being lauded for his musical ability, Parker had a tough upbringing. Alcoholism and heroin were major factors in his early death at age 34. The opera picks up from the moment he dies, "He comes back and relives several of the important moments of his life," says tenor Lawrence Brownlee who performs the role of Parker "the people that he was influenced by, the relationships that he had and so I think the people will get a real good understanding of the life of Charlie Parker."

Parker was from the South, but called New York his home, where he developed a style and honed his skills working alongside some of the iconic Jazz figures of the era.

"He was influenced by Louis Armstrong, of course, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk," says Brownlee. The opera was created specifically for his voice and he's joined onstage by his longtime friend and former classmate Angela Brown, playing the role of Parker's overprotective mother Addie.

"She's playing my mother, but I tell everyone she's too young to play my mother because we're close to the same age," says Brownlee.

"I've always looked like Larry's mama cause him just a little baby and I'm a big baby, but we have known each other for years," jokes Brown.

And with this being Opera Philadelphia's final show of the season, the stars of the show say all should come out and enjoy the performance.

"Everybody's put you know their heart and soul into this and so we're hoping that this will be something successful," says Brownlee.

"Being one of the founders of bebop and taking jazz to where it is today, it's very relevant and one that definitely the jazz heads are going to love," adds Brown.

Charlie Parker's Yardbird runs June 5th-14th at the Perelman Theater. For tickets go to TheArtsinPhilly.org.