Word: librettos
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...Hypermusic Prologue: A Projective Opera in Seven Planes” is exactly that—an original hour-long work of contemporary opera featuring music by Spanish composer Hèctor Parra and a libretto by Randall herself...
...laconic production of “Herring” appropriately aims more for poised subtlety than madcap laughter. Concise acting makes the plot clear at all times, even when the clarity comes at the expense of a joke (though there are plenty). Humor emerges from the libretto rather than being scaffolded upon...
Fernandez-Barkan ably handles this topsy-turvy romance, drawing out the wit of Gilbert’s libretto as Wong gives Sullivan’s music its due. “The Sorcerer” may be a light opera from Victorian England, but, thanks to this production’s charms, the work still amuses today...
...original story of Semele, which William Congreve adapted for his libretto, is a oft-told tale. The titular mortal protagonist falls in love with Jupiter, king of the gods. They have an affair, but when Jupiter’s jealous wife Juno finds out, she swears revenge. Furious, Juno disguises herself as a mortal and appears to Semele, convincing the poor girl to question Jupiter’s immortality. Semele, unaware that the sight of Jupiter in all his divine glory is fatal, demands to see him as a god. He begs her not to, but she stands firm...
James C. Liu ’89, who plays Jupiter, agrees. “Parts of the libretto explore the relationship between men and women in a way that is surprisingly modern,” he says. Semele’s ambition and her desire to contend with Jupiter as an equal can be likened to the women’s movement of the 1970s, he suggests. And though this is not the focus of the performance, it is certainly an underlying theme that helps lend the opera some contemporary relevance...