Typically, when I see the premiere of a new work (namely poems), they arrive in the mail bubble-wrapped and typeset in a literary journal. I never see the readers of the work in their initial experience of the words, their immediate reactions. Last night, sitting in the back row with director Leigh Holman and composer Dan Kellogg, I watched the performers sing/act astoundingly and watched the audience react to our work. Afterward, Dan, Leigh, Patrick Mason, LukasGraf (Garcia Lorca/Soldier Two), ChristieHageman (Josefina), John Robert Lindsey (Miguel), NicoleVogel (Mother), WeiWu (Soldier One), and KatherineDonahue (Dancer) fielded questions from the audience. It will take time to process and I don’t yet have the words to describe seeing a work I imagined with Dan during the Winter erupt into such vitality this Summer with such an amazing and versatile crew. I can only offer humble thanks to Dan, Leigh, Patrick, the singers, and the crew behind the scenes for their efforts. There are two more performances (tonight at 7:30pm and tomorrow at 2pm), come if you can!!!
Dan Kellogg, composer and friend, recently interviewed me about working on the libretto for our chamber opera “The Autumn Orchard.” The interview covers the basics of the opera’s narrative, writing process, and difficulties working in this new collaborative medium. Dan and I have never before attempted writing an original opera and it has been a fun, challenging and rewarding. The opera is based on the final days of Spanish poet Miguel Hernandez. Dates of workshop performance are below: this summer’s performances are with minimal orchestration (singers, piano, violin); the opera in full performance (costumes, set design, and full orchestration) will be in Summer of 2011 at CU Boulder.
If you don’t know composer Dan Kellogg, TheWashington Post writes, “his ‘Divinum Mysterium,’ recorded by the new music ensemble Eighth Blackbird, is among the most immediately arresting pieces I’ve heard in years;” The New Yorker writes, “Kellogg’s music gives off a palpable energy, and it is superbly crafted and controlled;” The New York Times writes, “Kellogg has an ear for shimmering colors and pungent harmony, who boldly alternates pulverizing outbursts with primordial ruminations.”
Below is a video of one of his compositions performed by the talented concert pianist Hsing-ay Hsu; please listen, it is gorgeous:
“The Autumn Orchard”
Date: Thursday, August 5, 2010 — 7:30 PM
Date: Friday, August 6, 2010 — 7:30 PM
Date: Saturday, August 7, 2010 — 2:00 PM
Location: ATLAS Black Box theater, CU Boulder.
More Info: CU PRESENTS ‘THE AUTUMN ORCHARD’
