Before Night Falls the Opera

[Darren K. Woods]

I love new American works as everyone knows. About four or five years ago, I read a review in the New York Times about a workshop of the first act of a new opera based on the novel and movie "Before Night Falls". As I had really liked the book, I decided to contact a few people about it. After much back and forth, I finally met the composer, Jorge Martin, and agreed to do a full workshop on stage at the Seagle Music Colony this past August. We used some of the artists from the Seagle Colony and our new Fort Worth Opera Studio members and presented one performace to an invited audience. The crowd went wild when they heard the piece. Not only is it an amazing compelling story, but it has great music. Since Jorge is Cuban, and so is the story, you can expect lots of Cuban sounds, Latin rhythms and beautiful melodies.

But just being great music is not enough. I wanted a piece here in Fort Worth that would be of interest to our Hispanic audience. I also wanted something that had a real message, too and this story does. It is funny. Sometimes a great book and movie don't need to be sung. The book alone is sufficient or the book and the movie are suffieicent. But sometimes the creation of an opera surrounding them only makes them more powerful. For instance, in "Dead Man Walking", I feel that the book and the movie are about capital punishment and what the characters feel about it. In setting that story to music, Jake Heggie makes the story about redemption and forgiveness. It is a much more human and universal theme. I felt the same way about Before Night Falls - this story is best when it is sung! The book and movie are about the life and death of Cuban poet Reynaldo Arenas, but the opera's overwhelming theme is freedom and what happens when freedom is suppressed. It is so powerful and I am thrilled it will be in Fort Worth next year.

I feel like I am really lucky to be alive and producing opera at this time when there are so many amazing composers writing incredible pieces. Our output lately has been great - first "Frau Margot" by Thomas Pasatieri, then Peter Eotvos' powerful "Angels in America", this season's "Dead Man Walking" and next year it continues with "Before Night Falls". Being in a position to help create and bring to the stage these great new works is a life long dream of mine.

[Martin Korn]

Will there be a link, (or links) to the Seagle Music Colony in Schroon Lake, or have I missed it?
This "Scoop" is a wonderful addition.
Congratulations!
Marty Korn
Rochester (Penfield), NY
PS-We are in serious training for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Feb. 2009. You can follow us on-line starting Feb. 15 or 16, 2009 at www.PackPaddleSki.com, and click on Journeys of Inspiration. Let me know if you want to learn more.
MWK

[Darren K. Woods]

Thanks, Carolyn. We're about to anounce another pretty incredible project. Hope you and Steve have wonderful holidays.

[Carolyn Marcell]

Darren, I think it is wonderful the way you are finding worthy new operas and presenting them for the public. Without impresarios who dare to think innovatively, opera woould have died as a viable art form long ago. Thank you for all you do to keep opera alive and relevant! Carolyn Marcell

[Dean]

Here in Tulsa we have some pretty boring repertoire inflicted on us. I just want to thank you for what you're doing down there. I can't wait for this one. Hell, I can't wait for "Dead Man Walking" either.