Confusion, fear, panic, and loneliness are not uncommon emotions in opera. Add to the list aging, family dynamics, manipulation, suffering, madness, foolishness, order, vision, and loyalty, as inspired by the themes and character relationships in Shakespeare’s King Lear, and you have a compelling contemporary opera with a distinctly contemporary voice: Lear on the 2nd Floor,…
This article was originally published in the Summer 2022 issue of Eastman Notes magazine. Efforts on behalf of equity and inclusion have been ongoing and continued priorities at Eastman. As we have “opened the doors” to our community for our centennial, we have also renewed our focus on these important topics. In spring 2020, Dean…
By Ella Torres Hello! My name is Ella Torres. I am a senior at the Eastman School of Music pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Applied Music (Performance) in Voice. I am also a student in the Arts Leadership Program and a proud member of Sigma Alpha Iota, but I am not here to talk…
A bit of The Pirates of Penzance in Mozart’s Impresario: Behind the umbrella is Trevor Scott (as Tyler); Jordan Costa (Steven Sibley); and Lucy Almada (Sylvia Sibley); Tim Long is at the piano. Photograph by Nic Minetor. This weekend, Eastman Opera Theatre presents a comedic double bill featuring Antonio Salieri’s Prima la musica e…
Frank and Buff attempt to hold back the two divas while Mr. Plume gets in the middle of their fight. From left to right: Kevin Spooner, YeJi Lee, Matthew Campisi, McKenzie Warriner, Nathan Savant. Photograph by Jeremy Lopez. In just one week, Eastman Opera Theatre presents a comedic double bill featuring Antonio Salieri’s Prima…
The Naples Opera production of Carmen, for which Ian Silverman served as associate stage director. By Sarah Forestieri Fresh from his directorial debut with Opera Naples working as an associate stage director on Bizet’s Carmen, Eastman Opera Theatre’s directing student, Ian Silverman, shares his thoughts on everything opera, including his upcoming production with Eastman…
By Benjamin Willmott The Eastman School of Music was pleased to welcome the appointment of Mr. Timothy Long to the faculty as associate professor of opera and music director of Eastman Opera Theatre, starting in fall 2018. Mr. Long’s appointment comes following the retirement of Benton Hess, the esteemed music director of the program for…
By Sarah Forestieri Eastman Opera Theatre (EOT) presents The Tibetan Book of the Dead, with music by Ricky Ian Gordon, and libretto by Jean-Claude Van Itallie, November 1, 2, 3, and 4 at Kilbourn Hall. This piece is one of Ricky Ian Gordon’s most personal works, coming to fruition after the loss of his partner,…
Dynamic, creepy, and committed: the cast of Eastman Opera Theatre’s Les Enfants Terribles By Kameron Ghanavati Photographs by Nic Minetor Les Enfants Terribles officially opens this weekend at Eastman to a sold-out audience. And rightfully so, given the intricate staging juxtaposed with transcendent music and intimate performances by the cast. I was able to attend…
This weekend, Eastman Opera Theatre presents a true masterpiece of baroque opera: Claudio Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea). The production features stage direction by Stephen Carr and musical direction by Paul O’Dette. This is the second blog post by Master’s student in voice Kameron Ghanavati, one of the students playing Nerone in…