The second public event as part of Opera Saratoga’s Roscoe workshop engaged an audience of novelists and authors from around the country. Each year the literary community travels to Saratoga Springs to participate in the programs of the Skidmore Writer’s Institute, which on July 17 offered a free round-table discussion on developing opera from literature.
The Skidmore Writer’s Institute offers a series of discussions from Pulitzer-prize winning author William Kennedy each year. The new opera Roscoe, which is based on his novel of the same title, provided an exceptional backdrop for discussing this topic. The operatic form provides a powerful medium for developing literary concepts, presenting many unique opportunities and also distinct challenges for creative artists.
The digital recording produced in phase 1 of the project directly contributed to the success of program. Whenever the discussion referenced the workshop, we could present high quality video clips as examples. In addition to the digital clips, Opera Saratoga brought in baritone Mitchell Hutchings and soprano Jessica Jones to perform select arias from the work and expand the performance component of the program
Once again, the buzz and energy was truly remarkable! Last year William Kennedy produced a program discussing the collaboration of literature and traditional theater – many in the audience were looking forward to the application of those past topics to the operatic form. Moderated by newly appointed Opera Saratoga Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson, the program not only presented on stage, included both performance and discussion elements, it also directly engaged its audience, allowing the audience to ask questions and shape the direction of the discussion.
With support from New Music USA, Opera Saratoga, Evan Mack and his creative team inspired this influential group to consider their own creative inspirations in the context of theater, opera, and music. We helped illustrate how new music is alive! New music is everywhere! And there are resources out there to help bring their inspiration to life.
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