One of today’s greatest opera artists, Joyce DiDonato, will come to Herceg Novi this August to present the extraordinary project “Emily, No Prisoner Be” together with the Grammy and Emmy Award-winning ensemble Time for Three.
The concert will take place on 13 August 2026 at 9:00 PM on the unique stage of Kanli Kula Fortress, and will be one of the artistic highlights of the 13th edition of the Operosa Festival.
“Emily, No Prisoner Be” is far more than a concert – it is a powerful musical journey inspired by the poetry of Emily Dickinson, transcending the boundaries between opera, chamber music, and contemporary musical expression. Through the music of Kevin Puts and the interpretation of Joyce DiDonato, Dickinson’s verses are given new life, opening a space for reflection on freedom, love, loss, and the strength of the human spirit.
Speaking about the project, Joyce DiDonato describes Emily Dickinson as “a master of creativity and expression,” a poet whose words continue to resonate deeply today, guiding us through universal themes that connect people across time and place.
Joyce DiDonato is one of the most acclaimed opera artists of our time, a recipient of multiple Grammy Awards and the prestigious Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera. This internationally renowned artist performs on the world’s most important opera and concert stages, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Vienna State Opera. Critics have described her voice as “nothing less than 24-carat gold,” while The New Yorker has called her “perhaps the most potent female singer of her generation.” Beyond her extraordinary singing career, Joyce DiDonato is also recognised as an artist who continues to push the boundaries of contemporary music through innovative projects, creative production, and her passionate advocacy for the arts.
The ensemble Time for Three has gained worldwide recognition for its unique fusion of classical music, American traditions, and contemporary musical influences. Their performances are marked by exceptional virtuosity, spontaneity, and energy, creating an immediate connection with audiences and offering a completely new concert experience.
The creator of the project, Kevin Puts, is one of the most distinguished contemporary American composers. A recipient of both the Pulitzer Prize and the Grammy Award, he is recognised for music that combines emotional depth, contemporary expression, and exceptional communicative power, which has led to his works being performed regularly by leading artists and orchestras around the world.
Following acclaimed performances on international stages, “Emily, No Prisoner Be” now arrives in Montenegro, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience this unique artistic project under the open sky, in the extraordinary setting of one of the Adriatic’s most beautiful historic fortresses.
The Operosa Montenegro Opera Festival will take place from 8 to 15 August 2026. Alongside a rich concert programme, festival audiences will enjoy two major opera productions – “L’elisir d’amore” by Gaetano Donizetti and “The Balkan Empress” by Dionisio de Sarno San Giorgio – as well as numerous accompanying programmes that will once again transform Herceg Novi into a true City of Opera.
In an atmosphere where history, the sea, and world-class artistry meet, Operosa continues to bring together some of the most important names in the global music scene, reaffirming its mission to offer audiences in Montenegro artistic experiences of the highest international standard.
