News
Twitter @Vocalcomposer
News by Month
Wednesday
Nov092022

Sarong Song film recognized at film festivals

The film of my song Sarong Song, made in conjunction with Positive Note Films of the UK, is being recognized at various film festivals worldwide.

As of November 9, 2022, the film is a nominee at the Swedish International Film Festival, a finalist at the 4theatre Film Festival, and was selected to be included in the American Golden Picture International Film Festival and the Yale in Hollywood Film Festival. The film also received an Honorable Mention Award from the Athens International Monthly Art Film. I will keep this post updated.

You can view the film here

Wednesday
Oct052022

City Lyric Opera to premiere Uncovered in New York City November 16-19, 2022

What: City Lyric Opera’s UNCOVERED
When: Wednesday-Friday, November 16-18 @ 8:30 p.m. EST, Saturday, November 19 @ 4:00 p.m. EST and ] @ 8:30 p.m.
Where: HERE Arts Center, 145 Sixth Avenue, Manhattan, 10013
Trains: C/E Spring St., 1 Houston St., N/R Prince St.
Tickets: $35. For more information or to purchase tix, call 212.647.0202 or visit HERE.org.

 

One of New York City’s most innovative opera companies, City Lyric Opera (CLO), presents the New York premiere of Uncovered, a chamber opera that plumbs the dramatic intersection of abortion, fundamentalism, and homosexuality within a true story. Uncovered is composed by Lori Laitman, one of the foremost composers of classical vocal music today, with a libretto by Leah Lax based on her memoir relating her journey out of Hasidic Judaism to freedom as a gay woman. The production is directed by Beth Greenberg, renowned for her work at New York City Opera, and conducted by Jackson McKinnon. The cast includes soprano Rachel Policar in the role of Lisa/Young Leah, soprano Emily Blair as the Older Leah, tenor Chris Carr as Levi, mezzo-soprano Heather Jones as Mother, Rachael Braunstein as Mikvah Attendant, and Sydney Anderson as Lover. 

Uncovered is co-commissioned by City Lyric Opera, The New York Opera Society, and Utah State University. The world premiere took place in March 2022 at The Caine Lyric Theatre in Logan, UT. 

 

For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here

Wednesday
Sep142022

Sarong Song film premiere, Saturday, September 17, 2022 1 pm EST

The premiere of Sarong Song, my short film made in conjunction with Positive Note Films in the UK, will premiere September 17, 2022 at 1 pm EST at the following YouTube link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDWBcvC1GgM

The film will remain up at the link after the premiere. 

 

Sarong Song is song #2 of The Soul Fox, a song cycle I composed in 2013 to a poem by David Mason, my frequent collaborator. The cycle set Mason’s autobiographical poems to create a narrative about the upheaval in Dave’s life as his second marriage dissolved. This song seizes on the moment Dave from Colorado met Chrissy from Tasmania — and her mesmerizing effect on him, which later resulted in their marriage and move to Tasmania.

The film alternates between a superb performance of the song by mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately and pianist Simon Lepper and slow animation created from famed illustrator Ian Beck's custom watercolors. The musical blending of these elements by director Jeremy Hamway-Bidgood creates a new kind of film — a hybrid presentation of classical song, poetry, and original art. 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday
Jun082022

The Collaborative Piano Institute — interview 6.8.22

I'm honored that on June 8, 2022 I'll be discussing my music with Korliss Uecker of The Collaborative Piano Institute, followed by a Q and A session with the students. 

Musical examples will be included, including a private showing of my soon-to-be-released film, made in conjunction with Positive Note of my Sarong Song, from The Soul Fox cycle (poetry by David Mason).

CPI aims to help the next generation of collaborative pianists, singers and instrumentalists by providing guidance from the support of prominent musical artists.

 

 

 

Wednesday
May182022

The Silver Swan — over the centuries

In 2007, Dr. Carol Kimball asked me to set The Silver Swan. I was most reluctant to do so, because I thought the original Orlando Gibbons madrigal setting was so beautiful and so perfect. It was only my love for Carol that allowed me to proceed — and the song's birth was difficult. I threw out several attempts. Finally, I wound up with 2 versions: one for voice (mezzo or soprano) with piano and one for voice, flute and piano.

I recorded the solo voice and piano version with soprano Amanda Gosier and the recording was released in 2009 on my Albany Records CD Within These Spaces. The flute version was recorded with soprano Maureen McKay and flutist Emily Skala, and was released in December 2019 on my double CD set Living in the Body on Naxos. 

It was so interesting to discover this article about the various settings over the centuries.

 

 

 

Page 1 ... 2 3 4 5 6 ... 45 Next 5 Entries »