Real Time Opera

Real Time Opera (RTO) is a performing arts organization dedicated to the production of new opera. Founded in 2002, it is based in Contoocook, New Hampshire and produces opera across the USA, engaging professional singers and a range of instrumental ensembles for performances at a wide variety of venues.

First seasons and achievements

The first season in 2003 presented a workshop of KORCZAK'S ORPHANS by Adam Silverman and Susan Gubernat based on the life of the famous Polish children's doctor, orphanage director and Holocaust martyr, Janusz Korczak. It was performed at the Lebanon Opera House in New Hampshire and in May 2004 was presented at New York City Opera as part of VOX 2004: Showcasing American Composers. It continues to have workshopped performances at Opera Theatre of Brooklyn.

HAWAIIAN TAN RATFACEwith words and music by John Trubee was premiered in February, 2004, at San Francisco's Studio Z, accompanied by the Ugly Janitors of America with choreography by Carl Franzoni.

FEYNMANis a new opera by composer Jack Vees, Operations Director of the Yale Center for Studies in Music Technology, and librettist Paul Schick. Its subject is the Nobel Prize-winning physicist and cult figure Richard Feynman. A percussion quartet provides the orchestra backing a solo Dr. Feynman onstage. The premiere performance at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, CT, in June 2005, and subsequent tour of New England were performed by SO Percussion and baritone Michael Cavalieri. In December 2005, Feynman was restaged in New York City at the Knitting Factory, with lighting and video design by Barry Steele and scenery design by Damen Mroczek. A world tour is in planning.

Works in Progress

A HOUSE IN BALI is a new opera by composer Evan Ziporyn and librettist Paul Schick for production in 2009. "A House in Bali" is based on the autobiographical book by Canadian composer Colin McPhee. Performances in New York City, San Francisco and Bali will combine the traditional Balinese gamelan and dancers with Western musicians from the Bang on a Can All-Stars.

DOUBLE MANIFESTOis being written by Dan Plonsey to a new libretto by Harvey Pekar who is perhaps best known for his series of autobiographical comic books and the subsequent movie: "American Splendor".

External links

* [http://www.RTOpera.org Real Time Opera ("Official site")]
* [http://www.adambsilverman.com/korczak/ Korczak's Orphans opera]
* [http://www.sopercussion.com SO Percussion]

Footnotes