Elmer Gantry: A New American Opera http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/ en Copyright 2008 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:20:10 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss "ELMER GANTRY..., one of the most enjoyable of premieres heard in many a season, richly deserves wider currency." Opera News Opera News gives Elmer Gantry a rave review
...the opera makes for a gripping evening of musical theater. The principal roles are gratefully conceived musically, sharply characterized dramatically, and there is some terrific ensemble writing in the form of gospel music (all of Aldridge's own invention, but entirely idiomatic in impact). Gantry also boasts a propulsive developmental arc that avoids the common pitfall of hotly burning its inspiration in Act I, only to run on fumes for the duration; its final moment — an ethereal choral diminuendo as a congregation of hapless worshipers is engulfed in fiery immolation with evangelist Sharon Falconer — is one of the most chilling in memory.
To read the complete review, click here.]]> http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2008/02/elmer_gantry_one_of_the_most_e.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2008/02/elmer_gantry_one_of_the_most_e.php Latest news Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:20:10 -0500 "Simply Divine" The Newark Star-Ledger reviews ELMER GANTRY Elmer Gantry the opera straddles satire and sentiment -- as well as the genres of opera and musical theater -- with a warmth and thoughtfulness that carry one along. To read the whole review, Download file ]]> http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2008/01/simply_divine_the_newark_starl.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2008/01/simply_divine_the_newark_starl.php Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:20:46 -0500 Elmer Gantry Turns 80 (the Wall Street Journal) "You probably didn't notice it, but that old rogue Elmer Gantry turned eighty this year...." The Wall Street Journal, December 28, 2007 A look at the enduring power of ELMER GANTRY-as-archetype, and a thoughtful assessment of Sinclair Lewis's novel. To read the complete article, click here.]]> http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2008/01/elmer_gantry_turns_80.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2008/01/elmer_gantry_turns_80.php History Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:50:25 -0500 the ELMER GANTRY: shaken with conviction Elmer Gantry, the cocktail The Elmer Gantry 4 ozs. Woodford Reserve bourbon ice Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake with conviction. Serve in a chilled martini glass. (When shaken sufficiently, the drink should have a thin layer of foam at the top.) Consume immediately.]]> http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/12/_elmer_gantry_the_cocktail.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/12/_elmer_gantry_the_cocktail.php Authors Sat, 29 Dec 2007 18:36:30 -0500 Welcome to Zenith - from Frank Shallard On the eve of the World Premiere performance of Elmer Gantry, I thought I'd greet you all. Like Jennifer Rivera, I haven't ever written or kept a blog either so this is a new experience for me. It's an interesting and important tool for you to read more about the opera and for us to share ideas of our process in the creation of this wonderful, moving opera. I have taken a few photos during our sitzprobe that I've posted here. ElGantry%2025crop.jpg (l. to r.)Director John Hoomes, Librettist Herschel Garfein and Composer Robert Aldridge at the sitzprobe for Elmer Gantry. ElGantry%2016.jpg Librettist Herschel Garfein and Composer Robert Aldridge at the sitzprobe for Elmer Gantry.]]> http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/welcome_to_zenith_from_frank_s.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/welcome_to_zenith_from_frank_s.php Cast from Nashville Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:30:46 -0500 Keely Quartet, Eolia Keely I sort of live at the turn of the century daily in my Bed & Breakfast built 1898 - 1904 here in Nashville Top O'Woodland Historic Bed & Breakfast Inn 5 minutes from the theater downtown. I have loaned the production my turn of the century wheelchair for the perfomances. I also play my turn of the century Bowed Psaltery during our quartet moment. I choose to use my great Aunt Osie Morehead’s real name Eolia. It was shortened by her three little brother’s inability to say Eolia, so Osie it was her whole life. Born in 1892, she had a career when women didn’t do that yet, played a mean ragtime piano daily (I have her baby grand Steinway here and several of her other posessions) and she never married living to a healthy-feisty age 103. My quartet decided our Base-father character Bertram Keely, previously widowed, had twin children Deller (soprano) & Doche (tenor) Keely by his first wife. I, Eolia (mezzo), am his second-trophy wife since I am a few years younger. We have had fun making up creative stories about our family getting a good laugh out of each other as we wait backstage to make our entrance in the Tent Revival scene. What an honor to be part of the premier! Belinda Lee Leslie (my real birth name) http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/keely_quartet_eolia_keely_1.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/keely_quartet_eolia_keely_1.php Nashville chorus Sun, 11 Nov 2007 13:25:41 -0500 Hear the OCTET 'live' Nov.6 at noon EST and on the web OCTET from ELMER GANTRY live on Nashville Public Radio, WPLN, and streamed live to the web at wpln.org. The Show is called "Live from Studio C" and it airs Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 12:00 noon Eastern Standard Time. To hear it, click here. For more on the history of the octet, read on... Herschel]]> http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/the_octet_live_on_the_radio_an.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/the_octet_live_on_the_radio_an.php History Latest news Sun, 04 Nov 2007 17:14:12 -0500 More costumes: an ill-suited couple, Fislinger and Lulu Baines http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/more_costumes.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/more_costumes.php Production Design Sun, 04 Nov 2007 00:33:25 -0500 More Costume Design, Elmer and Sharon http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/more_costume_design.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/more_costume_design.php Production Design Sun, 04 Nov 2007 00:23:28 -0500 Elmer Gantry Act I, sc1 ]]> http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/elmer_gantry_act_i_sc1.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/elmer_gantry_act_i_sc1.php Production Design Sun, 04 Nov 2007 00:18:33 -0500 Costume Design Hello. My name is Camille Assaf, I am the costume designer for Elmer Gantry. I am delighted to present some of the fashions of our opera, where humor and tragedy, flesh and spirit, sacred and profane mingle freely... http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/costume_design.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/costume_design.php Production Design Sat, 03 Nov 2007 23:56:16 -0500 Letting loose and praising God This past week we began staging for the chorus "Tent" scene. There is a specific time in the scene when Sharon leads the congregation into a rowdy worship time. For many of us who grew up gripping the pew as children (and even as adults), this scene is quite liberating. Lots of hand raising, dancing, shoutin "Hallelujah" and "preach on, sister" was seen and heard this past tuesday night. I think we all came away with a new idea of what church can be like and also quite excited that modern opera could be this much fun! ~Crystal Briley (aka. "Virginia Sue Ellen") Nashville Opera Chorus member http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/letting_loose_and_praising_god.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/letting_loose_and_praising_god.php Nashville chorus Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:32:01 -0500 Audraine & Bunny & Doshe Amy Tate Williams, the supremely talented Chorus Master and Accompanist for Nashville Opera. We've invited the chorus to list their real and devised names as a way of getting them started on this blog...]]> http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/audraine_bunny_doshe_the_names.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/11/audraine_bunny_doshe_the_names.php Nashville chorus Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:06:47 -0500 ELMER in NASHVILLE -- the first few days Bob and I returned from a glorious weekend in Nashville, where rehearsals are getting underway for the world premiere of ELMER GANTRY. It was a great experience. You can read my view of things below. From now on, we're throwing this blog open to all the participants in Nashville, so we hope to hear from them. The cast, the chorus, the director, conductor, even the entire administration -- EVERYONE down there is totally committed and working at the top of their form. They are going to have some stories to tell. ]]> http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/10/elmer_in_nashville_the_first_f_1.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/10/elmer_in_nashville_the_first_f_1.php Authors from Nashville Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:29:31 -0500 HELLO, My name is: Elmer After relentless verbal abuse and repeated threats of physical violence from both Bob and Herschel, I figured now was as good a time as any to step up. I'm Keith Phares and will be singing the title role of Elmer Gantry for the premiere in Nashville. Thanks to my long-time nemesis, Jenny Rivera (Sharon Falconer) I was introduced to this project last winter and I couldn't be more excited that it's finally getting off the ground. Aside from all of the gorgeous and distinctly "American" music and text,... http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/09/hello_my_name_is_elmer.php http://www.elmergantryopera.com/blog/2007/09/hello_my_name_is_elmer.php Cast Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:24:17 -0500