Next week, on Tuesday, June 17, I’ll perform a reading of Laura Kaminsky's new opera (in progress) entitled AS ONE, with libretto by Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed.  Also performing on the reading are mezzo-soprano Blythe Gaissert and the Cassatt String Quartet. The piece is presented by American Opera Projects.

The opera is a one-character show about a transgender person’s journey. The character is played by 2 people: a man and a woman. I think it’s a great concept, and it’s been very rewarding to participate in the experience of this piece coming together.  Kimberly Reed and Mark Campbell have created a compelling libretto, based in part on Kimberly’s own experiences (see the trailer for her film PRODIGAL SONS, above), and Laura Kaminsky has set this libretto to music. Laura’s style is honest and bold. She employs a unique harmonic language to bring out the text. I think her use of minor second dissonance is one of her defining compositional characteristics, which makes her writing challenging to learn, but immensely satisfying to sing once you’ve developed a feel for it.

I’m looking forward to working more on this piece in the weeks to come!!