Chamber
EXCLUSIVE: R.B. Schlather on Handel's 'Orlando,' the Problem with New York City Space, Philip Glass' 'Penal Colony' and the Politics of Open Rehearsal Space
EXCLUSIVE: Frederica von Stade Uncovers Dark Family Secrets in 'A Coffin in Egypt,' to be Staged by Chicago Opera Theater
Ricky Ian Gordon’s opera 'A Coffin in Egypt,' written for legendary mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, is coming to the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 25, 29 and May 1 and 3. Von Stade will reprise her tour-de-force portrayal of Myrtle Bledsoe, grande dame of Egypt, Texas, in this Chicago Opera Theater production. EXCLUSIVE: 2015 MATA Festival Interview Spotlight - Ann Cleare on 'Eöl,' Talea Ensemble and J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth
Founded by Philip Glass, Lisa Bielawa and Eleonor Sandresky in 1996, the MATA Young Composers Now! Festival strives to present emerging compositional talent sourced from across the globe. The 2015 edition at The Kitchen continues in that very tradition, featuring quite the varied array of exemplary young voices. So, with a nod to the spirit of MATA, itself, Classicalite has chosen three composers to speak with about that career-defining opportunity: a MATA commission. Our final entry is Ireland's own Ann Cleare, whose MATA-commissioned piece Eöl closed out the festival Saturday night, as part of the "Incomparable Contrivances" program performed by the Talea Ensemble. Cleare's percussion-heavy mini-concerto expertly explored the resonant qualities of handmade sculpture and proved to be one of this year's highlights.
