MEDEA

Things are off to an exciting start with Medea.

In addition to featuring many of our new and returning graduate students, this production has provided an opportunity to cast a number of our undergraduate singers in prominent roles.  Following some quick auditions last week, we have a wonderful and enthusiastic cast in place.

To get things started musically, Eileen Downey (UT Staff Coach/Accompanist) and I played through Act One in its entirety with two pianos.  This was a great way to let people hear how the vocal parts and orchestra fit together, and also gave us all a chance to hear how the act flows from beginning to end.  

This evening, we had a wonderful presentation by John Sipes, Stage Director, and the design team.  The set and costumes look magnificent!  Following John's introduction and explanation of the myth, the cast did a table read of the libretto, which (after working through the work musically yesterday) provided a wonderful opportunity to begin viewing the musical intentions with greater clarity.

John Sipes, Stage Director, with the cast of Medea

Fall 2014

World-premiere

Welcome back to the UTOT Music Director's Handbook

These pages have been neglected for the past couple seasons as the usual currents of running productions often leaves little time for even the most well-intended efforts.  

However, this Fall's special production is sure to be an exceptionally thrilling venture and merits both documenting through notes and reflections, but also warrants using this medium as a place to post information that any and all who are interested (and involved) my find valuable.

UTOT is in the spotlight this Fall as we will give the world-premiere of Larry Delinger's opera MEDEA (with libretto by Douglas Langworthy).  We came to know this work a couple years ago when John Sipes, of the Clarence Brown Theatre, approached UTOT about hosting Larry to do a week-long workshop of this score.  The work excited us immensely, and Larry proved to be an absolute thrill to work with.  Since then, we've kept the work simmering while we searched for the right time and opportunity to bring it forth.  The time has come!

In order to spread the word, and excitement, about this work, the University of Tennessee School of Music will be promoting "Delingerfest" - with several performances of Larry's music planned both on and off campus.  Larry will be with us for much of the semester, working on three operas, instrumental and vocal music, leading masterclasses and discussion with students and the general public alike.

The performances of Medea will take place at the Relix Variety Theatre, in Knoxville on November 7, 8 and 9, 2014.