Italian Academy for Advanced Studies to Premiere ‘Being Ariodante’

By Nicolas Quiroga

The Italian Academy for Advanced Studies at Columbia University will present “Being Ariodante on May 13-14, 2022.

The opera, which was written by American composer Jonathan Dawe, will be conducted by Benjamin Grow and stars Bryce McClendon, Dickie Hearts, Sydney Anderson, Richard Pittsinger, Cree Carrico, Vako Gvelesiani, Gil Sweeney, and Chris Burns.

“Jonathan Dawe’s new opera explores the intersections between gender, sexuality, and ability in contemporary Glasgow,” said director Mari Moriarty in an official press statement. “He pays homage to the romance of Händel’s 18th century opera while forcing audiences to reckon with the randomness and brutality of living in today’s world. The story is told in Italian, English, and American Sign Language and follows the twenty-something opera-obsessed Ariodante as he fights to live a life different from the character of Handel’s Ariodante that he’s convinced he’s destined to play. Featuring deaf and hard of hearing artists on and off the stage, Being Ariodante represents a new wave of what contemporary opera can be.” 

The work was originally slated to premeire back in April of 2020, but had to be delayed due to spread of COVID-19.

“I’m excited to bring this new work to life after several difficult postponements,” added Grow. “Dawe ingeniously brings together familiar and ancient tunings with several languages, including American Sign Language, to enhance the drama of the story. This potent combination must be a first for a contemporary American opera.”

Performances will take placeat the Italian Academy on the campus of Columbia University in New York City.

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