Pulitzer Prize winning composer Ned Rorem and librettist and poet J.D. McClatchy have been commissioned by Sarasota Opera to write a full-length opera for the Sarasota Youth Opera program. The work will premiere in May 2009 at the Sarasota Opera House. The opera will be based on Winsor McCay's seminal comic strip "Little Nemo in Slumberland" which ran in the New York Herald and New York American newspapers from 1905 through 1913.
The new commission is part of Sarasota Opera's ongoing effort to expand the repertoire of works written for young voices. One of only a handful of organizations in the country that perform works designed especially for young people, this is the fifth opera commissioned by Sarasota Opera.
Sarasota Opera Executive Director Susan Danis commented, "to have such a distinguished team write a piece for our Youth Opera program is certainly an honor and a unique opportunity for the community and our Youth Opera members. The significance of the project has already been recognized and supported by grant from the Joy McCann Foundation and many of our other key supporters." Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi added, "one of our objectives in commissioning new works is to expand the repertoire of quality operas for young people to perform. With a composer and librettist of such eminence creating this piece we look forward to a new work of artistic importance for our community and young people across the country."
Sarasota Youth Opera, founded in 1985, is the most comprehensive program in the U.S. to introduce and involve young people in the performance of opera. Youth Opera members participate in a year-round program which includes vocal instruction, performance in choral groups, and involvement in the Sarasota Opera main stage season. The program culminates in the production of an operatic work which was written to be sung by young people. The fully-staged Sarasota Youth Opera performances are under direction of the Sarasota Opera professional music and production staff and take place on the main stage of the historic Sarasota Opera House. -- www.sarasotaopera.org
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
