At Gallery Particulier, our mission is to create intimate, inclusive experiences of the visual arts, where people can connect deeply with creativity and with each other. Killer Queen Opera shares that spirit, reimagining opera for close, human-scale encounters. That’s why we were delighted when Christina Swanson, the director of the company, offered us to host three performances of their new work MADAM.
The opera tells the story of Polly Adler, a Jewish immigrant and legendary New York madam, and it filled our gallery with powerful music, emotion, and presence.
The gallery transformed into a speakeasy for the occasion, as the story takes place in the Roaring 20s. The proximity between the singers and the audience made the experience so special—you could feel every breath, every emotion. The singing was rich and full of nuance, the staging made great use of our space, and the combination of sensuality, humor, and heartbreak kept everyone captivated from beginning to end.
We also had fun—lots of it. Before and after the performance which included an elegant burlesque, people chatted over snacks and wine, cheered for the performers, and introduced themselves to each other. The cast mingled with the audience in costume, breaking down any sense of distance between artist and spectator. It felt less like attending a performance and more like being part of an immersive moment of theater.
Some people in the audience had never been to an opera before, just as many who walk through our doors have never visited a gallery. That mix of discovery and connection is exactly what we aim for. We felt honored to partner with Killer Queen Opera to bring MADAM to our community and to share an evening that reminded us how powerful and welcoming the arts can be when they’re brought close to home.
The audience is also immersed in our current exhibit body positivity – gender euphoria, curated by TV personality and top model Racquel Chevremont. The show takes inspiration from MADAM’s themes of selfhood, liberation, and embodiment, celebrating the joy and complexity of living fully in one’s body.
Together, the opera and exhibition create a layered, unique experience as it bridges visual and performing arts, and honors the power of storytelling in every form.
Gallery Particulier wishes to thank Christina Swanson and Karina Camile Parker, the co directors of Killer Queen Opera, as well as the whole cast and musicians, for an unforgettable experience.
Gallery Particulier also wishes to thank Material For The Arts and its donors for the gift of seats and props that were used in this production.
