As part of our mission to support and produce new works, Lyric Theatre @ Illinois is proud to present six world premieres of scenes from three operas by internationally established composers and three compositions by School of Music composition students.
It will be performed on May 2, 2023, at 7:30 pm at the Tryon Festival Theatre, Krannert Center. Free admission. There will be a pre-show talk with the creative teams from 6:30-7:00 pm. The first act will be followed by a reception during intermission, all are welcome.
Program:
Venetian Cycle: Dark mysteries of medieval Venice during the time of the plague. Part of the art song cycle, composer Ilya Demutsky, lyrics by Olga Maslova. Sung in English
Candinho: Scenes from an opera by João Ripper, a lyrical portrayal of the great Brazilian artist Candido Portinari’s childhood, growing up among the eccentric characters of the small town of Brodowski in the early 1900s. Sung in Portuguese
Rusalka "На Русалчин Великдень": the popular tale of mermaids torn between longing for love and deadly revenge, set in rural Ukraine; scenes from the unfinished opera by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovich, executed by the Bolsheviks at the height of his creative powers. Sung in Ukrainian
The Sentinel: A drama that questions the value of human life in times of war, set in a post apocalyptic U.S. Capitol. Words and music by Caleb Liddell.
A Painful Case: based on the short story by James Joyce, exploring the consequences of self imposed repression of feelings and desires. Music by Victor Rangel, libretto by Kathleen McGowan
The Sneeze: based on the short story "The Death of the Government Clerk" by Anton Chekhov. A tragicomic story about a small gaffe that pushes a man to the edge of sanity. Music by Jiwon Hahn, libretto by Jolie O'dell