Elmer Gantry: A New American Opera

from Herschel:

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.

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.

(l. to r.)Director John Hoomes, Librettist Herschel Garfein and Composer Robert Aldridge at the sitzprobe for Elmer Gantry.

Librettist Herschel Garfein and Composer Robert Aldridge at the sitzprobe for Elmer Gantry.