Our Chamber Member, the International Brazilian Opera Company (IBOC), in partnership with the Romanian Cultural Institute, is pleased to invite you to Wild Flower: An Opera by Nina Smart and João Macdowell.

Join International Brazilian Opera Company this Friday, March 14th, for an inspiring evening of storytelling, advocacy, and music, featuring Brazilian composer and IBOC artistic director João MacDowell, in celebration of Dr. Nina Smart’s courageous life and memoir, “Wild Flower: The True Story of a Romanian Girl in Africa.” Through a conversation with Nina, glimpses of her book, and exclusive scenes from the opera-in-the-making, we honor female creativity and resilience while shedding light on the harmful practice of FGM. Special guests include Sharon Fisher (former Soroptimist International president), opera singers Kyaunnee Richardson and Rachel Deatherage, and pianist Mireia Frutos Fernández.

Dr. Smart’s remarkable journey—escaping both the Ceaușescu dictatorship in Romania and the threat of FGM in Sierra Leone—led her to become a leading advocate for women’s rights and the founder of Servicing Wild Flowers – SWF International. Her work directly impacts rural communities in Sierra Leone, supporting survivors and raising awareness on human rights issues. This event, hosted by the Romanian Cultural Institute in partnership with the International Brazilian Opera Company, pays tribute to Dr. Smart’s empowering story and invites you to experience the transformative power of her mission and the art it continues to inspire.

Time & Location
Mar 14, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
New York, 200 E 38th St, New York, NY 10016, USA