“In recent seasons, Opera Columbus productions have transported audiences to Egypt in ‘Aida’ and Japan in ‘Madama Butterfly,’ ” writes Peter Tonguette in Thursday’s (2/7) Columbus Dispatch (Ohio). “For its latest undertaking, the troupe is looking closer to home for inspiration. In partnership with the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Opera Columbus has co-commissioned ‘The Flood,’ a brand-new work revolving around Ohio’s disastrous flood of 1913…. The production—Opera Columbus’ first opera commission in about two decades—will have its world premiere Friday.… [Opera Columbus General and Artistic Director Peggy Kriha] Dye said the show reflects the troupe’s renewed commitment to makers of contemporary operas. ‘To be a forward-thinking leader in the opera field, you need to be creating and commissioning new works as part of the programming,’ Dye said.… Led by conductor Steven Osgood, ProMusica’s musicians will perform the score, which features music by Korine Fujiwara, violist of the Carpe Diem String Quartet; and a libretto by Stephen Wadsworth, director of opera studies at the Juilliard School…. Planning for the production began several years ago, when Dye approached ProMusica Executive Director Janet Chen about embarking on a collaboration; ProMusica has commissioned many original orchestral pieces.”
Posted February 8, 2019
