Eastman Showcase 2004
 |
 |
Famed Opera Composer Visits Eastman
An Eastman Opera Theatre opening night is always exciting, but for this spring’s production of Susannah, there was extra excitement in the air. Carlisle Floyd, the composer of this famous American work was in the audience. The 77-year-old composer, whose other operas include Wuthering Heights and Of Mice and Men, visited Eastman on April 1. During the day he gave an informal talk to voice and opera students; he also gave a pre-performance talk to the Friends of Eastman Opera, and took a bow onstage at the end of the first performance.
Since its premiere in 1955, Susannah has become the most frequently produced of all American operas, with over 700 productions all over the world. The Eastman production, with stage direction by Steven Daigle and musical direction by Benton Hess, ran from April 1-4 in the Eastman Theatre.