David T. Little - What Belongs To You (Karim Sulayman; Alarm Will Sound)

Information

Composer: David T. Little

• What Belongs to You

Karim Sulayman, tenor

Alarm Will Sound

Alan Pierson, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Bright Shiny Things

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The world premiere recording of What Belongs to You, winner of the 2025 Music Critics Association of North America award for Best New Opera, features a collaboration between Grammy-winning performers Karim Sulayman, Alan Pierson, and Alarm Will Sound, alongside acclaimed composer David T. Little. Based on Garth Greenwell’s award-winning debut novel, the opera chronicles an American man's volatile and destructive relationship with a Bulgarian hustler named Mitko. Ultimately, the production transforms this poignant narrative into a universal exploration of self-discovery, isolation, and the profound longing for connection amidst heartbreak.

Born in 1978, Grammy-nominated composer David T. Little is celebrated for genre-defying stage, concert, and screen works that explore complex psychological, social, and political themes. His acclaimed operatic portfolio includes Dog Days, JFK, and the Grammy-nominated Soldier Songs, alongside recent successes like the metal-infused opera Black Lodge and the ritualistic choral work SIN-EATER. Notably, his 2024 opera What Belongs to You received the prestigious 2025 Music Critics Association of North America Best New Opera Award. Commissioned by world-class institutions like the Metropolitan Opera, Little also leads the politically charged chamber ensemble Newspeak, consistently challenging the boundaries between classical and rock traditions.

Grammy-winning Lebanese-American tenor Karim Sulayman is an internationally acclaimed artist celebrated for his versatile vocal talent and innovative programming. A Chicago native and graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Rice University, Sulayman performs globally across opera, orchestral concerts, and chamber music. His distinguished career includes a sold-out Carnegie Hall debut, pioneering multi-disciplinary productions like Unholy Wars, and creating the lead role in David T. Little’s opera What Belongs to You. Beyond his chart-topping, award-winning discography—including his 2019 Grammy win—Sulayman is a dedicated chamber musician and social activist who uses performance art to foster inclusion and dialogue.