Eleanor
A Medieval Opera
A lost story from medieval London comes to life in a new chamber opera by Niccolo Seligmann!
A Medieval scandal gets its big-screen debut.
After two sold-out performances at New Stage Performance Space, Alkemie’s queer Medieval opera Eleanor is headed to the movies! Join us at Low Cinema, Ridgewood’s first new movie theater since 1927, for a special screening celebrating the film’s release.
Written by Alkemie’s Niccolo Seligmann and starring non-binary soprano Elisse Albian, Eleanor takes inspiration from the true story of Eleanor Rykener, whose arrest in London in 1394 left the authorities puzzling over how to categorize her gender — and thereby what to charge her with. Blending Medieval music, contemporary composition, and historical imagination, Eleanor explores identity, belonging, and the lives that don’t fit neatly into history’s boxes.
Funded in part by The Amphion Foundation, Inc.
TICKETS
Join us at the intimate and independent Low Cinema for a special screening of Eleanor!
Eleanor will also be available via digital broadcast through December 31.
Content warning: Eleanor tells the real-life story of a sex worker, and features frank language about sex as well as mimed sexual acts. This show might not be appropriate for younger audiences (we recommend that attendees be 18+), or those uncomfortable with more explicit themes.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2026
6:00 pm (TBC)
Low Cinema, 70-11 60th St, Ridgewood, NY 11385
NOVEMBER 19-DECEMBER 31, 2026
All tickets are general admission.
Household ($30)
Enjoy this program with your immediate circle wherever your streaming device takes you.
Alkemie Supporter ($50)
Alkemie gratefully accepts additional support from those who are willing to help cover the full cost of its programming.
Student/Artist/Economic Need ($15)
We want to ensure that all may share this experience, regardless of personal circumstances. If you are in need of an uplifting experience and ticket price is a barrier, please contact us at info@alkemie.org.
Video Link to be sent upon purchase, and will be available until December 31, 2026.
Alkemie maintains a no-one-turned-away policy. Please contact info@alkemie.org if you need to arrange for reduced ticket pricing.
“Queer and trans people have always been here, and Eleanor Rykener’s story proves this. Celebrating the few queer and trans ancestors who’ve made it into the historical record is an important way of connecting with our communal past and gives us hope for a queer and trans future.”
Featured Artists & Guests
ARTISTS
Elisse Albian (ELEANOR)
Tracy Cowart (JUSTICE, ELIZABETH, CHAPLAIN 1; medieval harps)
Ben Matus (voice, hümmelchen, recorders)
David McCormick (vielle)
Morgan Morse (PHILIP, WATCHMAN, BLOUNT)
Seamus Ricci (BROTHER JOHN, MAYOR)
Sian Ricketts (RECTITUDE, ANNA, CHAPLAIN 2; recorders, douçaines)
Niccolo Seligmann (composer; vielle, psaltery)
Ellie Sutherland (REASON, JOAN, CHAPLAIN 3, percussion)
Spiff Wiegand (CLIENT, BROTHER MICHAEL, JOHN BRITBY, AIDE; percussion)
Alyssa Weathersby (director, costume design)
Tracy Cowart (projection design)
Shua Jackson (lights, associate & technical director)