Hi. Yes, the title of this blog is a bit brash and may ruffle a feather or two (really I doubt it, though, the feathers that would be most ruffled probably aren’t reading blogs). That’s fine, the arts in general need to ruffle the feathers of the establishment every so often if they wish to thrive. Artists specifically need to as well. Of course, while it doesn’t take much to say that we’re going to build a better opera, it does take a lot to actually accomplish it.
Will we be able to pull it off? I don’t know. That will be decided once the work is complete and the opera going public, the press and our peers have rendered their verdicts. We’re going to try. This blog will be the chronicle of that opera building process, from the early development stages that the libretto is at right now, to (we hope) its complete production by a yet to be determined opera company or department.
The opera itself is based on a short story of mine, “Building a Better Joshua”, which perhaps suitably to the title of this blog, is a slightly futuristic retelling of the Narcissus myth. The composer, Jennifer Jolley, and I will be writing our experiences, so that you can share in our frustrations, our setbacks, our self-mutilations and perhaps occasionally a little victory or two as we experience them, or at least shortly thereafter. Maybe if you wish to write an opera of your own, you will be able to learn from our mistakes and avoid them.
You won’t have to thank us if that’s the case, a check will suffice…
Anyway, welcome to the “Building a Better Opera” blog.
-K
-K
