solo voice(s)+large ensemble or orchestra

THE SINGING LESSON – Chamber Opera in Three Acts Based on the short stories of Katherine Mansfield (PD) for 2 Lyric Sopranos, 2 Dramatic Mezzo-Sopranos, 1 Lyric Contralto, 1 Tenor Buffo, 1 Basso Buffo, and small chamber orchestra : Cl in Bb, Bsn, Tpt in C, Bs Tbn, vln, cb, and Perc (1-2): wind chimes, triangle, sleigh bells, cowbell, tam-tam, vibraslap, wood block, glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone, marimba, tubular bells, snare drum, bass drum, and celesta.

ACT ONE / THE GARDEN PARTY: Synopsis: Laura is helping her mother, Mrs. Sheridan, in the preparations for a garden party, when it is discovered that a death has transpired at a nearby working-class neighborhood.  Laura is in favor of cancelling the party, but other members of her family are not.  After the party is over, Laura is instructed by her mother to visit the bereaved family, which results in an enormous personal change – or does it?

Two Songs on Poems by Yevgeny Yevtushenko; the composer and poet met one another by chance one day after work in the hallway of one of NYU's faculty residences.

The Da Capo Chamber Players commissioned this work in its chamber ensemble version, and performed it extensively, including on tour in Russia. A large orchestration lay unperformed, and in 2012, the anniversary of NYU's FAS Dept of Music celebratory concert provided an opportunity to create a smaller orchestral version.  The drama of the poetryin the first movement seems to demand the possibility of a massing of instruments. The first poem set, "Who are You, Grand Canyon?" was considered too long at first, but the composer followed the wishes of the poet, and made only one small cut. The second song is a eulogy for the Challenger spacecraft, in a more subdued meditative setting. The poems reflect Yevtushenko's extensive travels in the United States, and his acute awareness of American life.

 

1. The God of Love (from Much Ado about Nothing)
2. Elizabeth's Song (When I was fair and young) from Oxford book of 16th-Century Verse
3. Cuckoo Song (Spring-When daisies) from Love's Labour's Lost

Winnie & Stevie,The Secret Agent;: (c) Center for Contemporary Opera

Ossipon & Michaelis, The Secret Agent: (c) Center for Contemporary Opera

"The Secret Agent": Amy Burton and Matthew Garrett in the opera, with music by Michael Dellaira, at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College.: March, 2011

Linda Larson, sopranoChris Trakas as Benjamin Button

Dominic Inferrera as young Benjamin Button

Last scene