Opera Philadelphia is set to present Gregory Spears’ latest work “Sleepers Awake.” Premiering April 22-26 at the Academy of Music, Spears creates a labyrinthine soundscape to accompany a dream-like rendering of the fairytale “Sleeping Beauty,” inspired by modernist Swiss writer Robert Walser. The story follows The Stranger, who wakes Thorn Rose and her companions from a century-long sleep. But instead {…}
On July 13, the Santa Fe Opera is set to present the world premiere of “The Righteous” by Gregory Spears and Tracy K. Smith. The opera explores the tension between genuine faith and the fraught world of 1980s politics. Spears’ eighth opera represents the 19th world premiere for the company. Over the years, Spears’ acclaim as a contemporary composers has {…}
On July 13, 2024, the Santa Fe Opera will present its 19th world premiere with “The Righteous,” by composer Gregory Spears and librettist Tracy K. Smith. The new work explores the intersection between genuine faith and political power in the 1980s American Southwest. Along the way, the characters’ sacred love for God becomes entwined with the complicated realities of their {…}
Works & Process is set to present the Santa Fe Opera: “The Righteous” by Gregory Spears and Tracy K. Smith. The presentation will be held on Oct. 1 at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum as part of the Works & Process Fall 2023 Season. The new opera was commissioned by The Santa Fe Opera for premiere in the summer of {…}
This week the Cincinnati Opera will make history with the world of “Castor and Patience.” The opera tells the story of a long overdue family reunion which finds two African American cousins at odds over the fate of a historic parcel of land they have inherited in the American South. The work continues probe historical and continuing obstacles to Black land ownership {…}
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith and composer Gregory Spears will hold a discussion and present a preview concert featuring excerpts from their new opera, “Castor and Patience,” at Library of Congress’s Coolidge Auditorium on May 12, 2022. The work is set to have its world premiere at Cincinnati Opera beginning on July 21, 2022, and running through July {…}
On November 8, 2019, Arizona Opera presented composer Gregory Spears and librettist Greg Pierce’s 2016 opera “Fellow Travelers.” Premiered at Cincinnati Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago presented the work in March 2018, and Minnesota Opera staged it three months later. That is not a surprise to anyone who has heard its enchantingly original music. Yes, it has its Puccini-style moments, but it also relates to much earlier music and contains tonal vocal harmony rarely heard in 21st century opera. Spears’ music shows human grace and warmth one moment and counteracts it with chilling dissonance the next. Thus, he magnifies and intensifies the conflict between characters.
The Cincinnati Opera and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music have announce that their groundbreaking joint program, Opera Fusion: New Works, will host a residency for the new opera “Castor and Patience.” The new work will be written by composer Gregory Spears and librettist by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former U.S. poet laureate Tracy K. Smith. The work was commissioned {…}
It’s Pride Month, so to celebrate we return to the series we began two years. This time we celebrate some of the great composers and librettists of today who have made a great impact in the opera world and whose works have given a voice to the voiceless. Jake Heggie Heggie is one of the most prolific composers of the {…}
There aren’t as many releases this week, though there is undeniably one that will have everyone’s attention, especially since it comes from the world’s greatest tenor. L’Opera Jonas Kaufmann’s new album, his first fully dedicated to the French repertoire is sure to be one of the hot holiday purchases. The tenor sings arias from Bizet, Meyerbeer, Massenet, Thomas, Berlioz, and {…}
