Dr. Crozier

• The absence of financial gain from recordings sheds light on the challenges faced by composers in the contemporary music landscape.
• The initial dismissal of composition was due to the individual's future plans, which did not align with the potential of exploring composition.
• Exposure to specific offers altered the individual's outlook, prompting a reconsideration of the potential of exploring composition.
• Grad school projects necessitated writing ten-minute offers, facilitating collaboration between composers and the offering department.
• Despite initial reluctance, the individual agreed to participate in the collaboration.
• The individual found joy in crafting a piece titled "The Reunion".
• The process of writing music for a dramatic scene proved unexpectedly enjoyable, challenging preconceptions.
• The extended piece became the individual's master's thesis, featuring an all-female cast.
• Another librettist approached the individual for a 20-minute composition, with intriguing elements including the use of the Requiem Mass and a writer as the main character.
• The offer's intriguing elements, including the use of the Requiem Mass and a writer as the main character, prompted immediate acceptance.
• The main character, Slore Barnum, lived in the mid-1600s in Exeter City, having the largest library in the Americas during her time.
• Slore started reading and writing before the age of 10, demonstrating remarkable intelligence and debating skills.
• Slore's pursuit of education and writing led to conflicts with authorities, especially during the Inquisition.
• The Archbishop threatened Slore with ex-communication.
• Demanding silence and an end to her writing, the Archbishop challenged societal norms.
• Incorporation of Gregorian Chant found inspiration in using the original melody of the Requiem Mass at the beginning of each scene, harmonizing and adapting it to enhance the narrative.
• The main character's role as a writer influenced the composition, with excerpts from her writings woven into the musical fabric.
• The composition includes a vocal score and an organ score.
• Collaboration with the librettist, Peter M Kras, resulted in a 20-minute composition titled "The Reunion".
• Musical motifs play a vital role in characterizing and emoting the narrative.
• Sorplana's name and a specific chord become musical signatures associated with her character.
• The recurring theme, "I have no father, and my mother sent me away," adds emotional depth to the opera.
• Opera's power to convey emotions is emphasized.
• The initial libretto, an 18-page concept, expanded to 62 pages during revisions, highlighting the complexity of translating a narrative into musical form.
• Subsequent scenes delve into key events like joining the convent, conflicts with her father, and the pivotal vow of silence.
• Scene one introduces the protagonist on her deathbed, initiating a reflective journey through her memories.
• Opera embraces various musical forms to convey the plot and characters' emotions.
• Recitatives, with rapid text delivery, advance the plot and facilitate character interactions.
• The composition and scoring process spanned over two years, underscoring the dedication and effort invested in bringing the opera to life.
• Aria provides a space for reflection and emotional depth, exemplified by a significant aria with two contrasting parts in scene one.
• The opera has seen performances by professional companies, including the Fort Worth Opera and New York City Opera, reflecting on the enduring impact of the opera, despite the challenges faced in the contemporary music industry.
• The opera is divided into scenes, each portraying crucial moments in the protagonist's life.
• A video excerpt of the opera provides a visual representation, complementing the audio recording and offering a comprehensive experience.
• Opera surpasses traditional plays and adds a unique layer to the storytelling.
• The opera is set in Spain, marked by political shifts and a departure that impacts the protagonist's political support.
• The combination of music and narrative enhances emotional engagement, creating a heightened and profound experience.
• Opera Journey is a production that showcases the dedication to bringing Slore's story to life through music.
• The central character takes a vow of silence, initiating a story of sacrifice, familial responsibilities, and shifting allegiances.