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Omar

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Join a special new giving circle, available for new and increased gifts to support Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abel’s Omar. Omar is the true story of a 19th century Islamic scholar from West Africa, enslaved in South Carolina, but who found and expressed identity and faith through the written word.

The Omar Giving Circle is a broad-based effort beginning at only $22, embracing gifts of all sizes as vital to bring this important work to our community.

Your Gift

Please note that we are only able to process credit cards (not debit cards) at this time.

  • Your card will be charged once.

  • Your card will be charged on or around the 15th of every month.

  • Your card will be charged once a year.

Custom amounts must be $5 or more.

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Billing Information

Join Omar Circle

  • Tambourine

    $22

    Encircled by repeating pairs of metal discs, the "22" level is inspired by the prominence of the tamourine in the opera. Most scholars agree that the origins of the tambourine date back to 1700 BCE or even earlier, and it appears in sacred texts from West Africa, Turkey, Greece, Italy, India, and throughout the Middle East.

    Commemorative lapel pin

  • Kufi

    $120

    The traditional hat worn by Omar in the opera is called a Kufi from the Kufi script it resembles. It plays a significant role in the opera as Julie, an enslaved woman, becomes close to him. The Kufi script is thought to have gone into general use in the 12th century. The hat is a part of the national dress of many West African countries and symbolizes African descent in many American cultures.

    Prior benefits plus Digital Donor Recognition

  • Akonting

    $517

    The akonting is an African gourd lute known as the ancestor of the modern banjo played by co-comproser Rhiannon Giddens, who studied the instrument. The three strings of the akonting are tuned to the pattern 5-1-7, which inspires the name for this level! (7-note scale with 7th, 5th, and 1st notes.)

    Prior benefits plus recognition in our program book (usually reserved for donors giving $1,000 or more)

  • Scholar

    $1,831

    The best known of the scholar Omar lbn Said's writing is his autobiographical essay. The Life of Omar Ibn Said, written in 1831, the work forms the basis of the opera. 

    Prior benefits plus access for 2 to the final dress rehearsal

  • Bluegrass

    $4,000

    In honor of co-composer Rhiannon Giddens' frequent genre, bluegrass. Bluegrass was born out of North American blues music which was directly influenced by West African music. Recognized as a new American artform in the 1940's, Bluegrass is a fusion of music styles and experiences, much like the fusion of opera, Senegalese, and American styles found in Omar.

    Prior benefits plus exclusive access to a pre-dress rehearsal and talk with the artistic team

  • Tama

    $7,280

    The Senegalese tama, or talking drum, is known to project sounds imitating human speech across a seven-to-eight kilometer distance, or 7-2-8. Omar ibn Said was originally abducted from West Africa, in the Futa Toro region (modern-day Senegal) where the Tama is played widely and used to send messages as well as make music.

    Prior benefits plus pair of drink vouchers for 2 during intermission (opera tickets sold separately)

  • Olive Tree

    $30,000+

    Omar sings of the olive tree during the moment of darkness when his humanity is attacked. "The example of His light is like a niche within which is a Lamp, which is within a glass, which is like a brilliant star fueled by a blessed tree, an olive tree, neither Eastern nor Western, whose oil would almost glow, even if untouched by fire." The themes of our shared humanity can be seen in the symbol of the olive tree.

    Prior benefits plus program book recognition as an affiliate production sponsor