Video Interview: @ThisFunktional talks with SOURCE/FILTER MUSIC COLLECTIVE’s Executive Director talks about modernizing opera (138 of 365)

Jesus Figueroa, @Thisfunktional of ThisFunktional.com, talks with executive director Rae Shrum about Source/Filter Music Collective’s goals for modernizing opera and ALICE RYLEY’S AND BIG DEATHS at Heritage Square Museum. ALICE RYLEY & “BIG DEATHS” November 7, 8, & 9, 2025 Gates at 6:30pm The Church at Heritage Square Museum 3800 Homer St, Los Angeles, CA 90031 Source/Filter returns to Heritage Square Museum just in time for Halloween with a spooky operatic double feature. The night opens with Big Deaths—a haunted house–style tour of operatic murder scenes. In small groups, you’ll wander through the museum’s Victorian homes, encountering iconic operatic deaths in each room. Expect scenes from Carmen, Lucrezia Borgia, Rusalka, The Turn of the Screw, and more. Afterwards, grab a drink at concessions and join a dance party on the lawn before stepping into the museum’s eerie Lincoln Avenue Church for the West Coast debut of Michael Ching’s chilling ghost story Alice Ryley. Based on a haunting true story, the opera recounts the final days of Alice Ryley—an Irish immigrant and indentured servant in 18th-century colonial America, condemned as the first woman hanged for murder in what would become the United States. Her ghost is still said to wander Savannah’s town square to this day. Together, these works create a cinematic blend of ghost story, historical drama, and operatic spectacle. Ages 13+ recommended. Halloween costumes encouraged. Tickets $20-45: our.show/aliceryley ABOUT SOURCE/FILTER MUSIC COLLECTIVE: Founded in 2022 by a collective of Los Angeles artists, Source/Filter was born out of a desire to create unique musical projects that spotlight the works of local, living composers and showcase the talents of local musicians. The collective is dedicated to presenting site-specific, immersive, and cinematic musical experiences, while elevating underrepresented and marginalized voices both onstage and behind the scenes. Source/Filter’s 2024–25 season redefined immersive opera with Sancta Susanna, transformed into a site-specific horror opera, and Little Deaths, a sensual journey through opera’s most intimate moments at West Hollywood’s Pleasure Chest. As a women-led organization, Source/Filter continues to push boundaries with performances that are bold, inclusive, and unforgettable. “We are absolutely thrilled to guide these projects forward with the support of our incredible collective of artists,” says Britta Sterling, Founding Artistic Director. “We hope to create a place of belonging for local performers and to foster a cross-disciplinary artistic community with works that challenge and excite audiences.” For more information, visit sourcefiltermusic.org CAST & CREATIVE: Alice Ryley + Big Deaths Cast Emily Gallagher — soprano (Alice) Christine Li — mezzo-soprano (Jailed Alice) Kirk Garner — tenor (Recorder / Sailor / William Wise) Adrian Melendrez — baritone (Richard White) Rae Shrum — mezzo-soprano (Mary) Savannah Greene — soprano (Big Deaths soloist / Chorus) Manfred Anaya — tenor (Big Deaths soloist / Chorus) Kelvin Li — bass-baritone (Big Deaths soloist / Chorus) Alex Perkins — tenor (Big Deaths soloist / Chorus) Chandler Cummings — soprano (Big Deaths soloist / Chorus) Shannon Delijani — mezzo-soprano (Big Deaths soloist) Grace Stewart — mezzo-soprano (Big Deaths soloist) Amanda Mello — soprano (Chorus) Marissa Plati — soprano (Chorus) Melina Adragna — soprano (Chorus) Megan Shoaf — soprano (Chorus) Alexei Helmbock — baritone (Chorus) Creative Team Milena Gligić — Music Director / Pianist Britta Sterling — Stage Director Caleb Yanez Glickman — Conductor Alyssa French — Pianist