MYOpera BLOG

History Repeating Itself: Updating the setting of The Rape of Lucretia

Stage Director Anna Theodosakis during The Rape of Lucretia rehearsals

One of the first questions I ask myself when approaching a new opera is what drew the composer or librettist to writing on this subject matter? What was the appeal? Did they connect with it on a personal level? Was it thematically relevant to the society or time they were living in? Perhaps it was simply a commission but I find that frequently with a bit of detective work you can hone in on what made the idea of this opera exciting to the composer. Read more »

Lighting Design for Lucretia

Lighting The Rape of Lucretia

by Wesley McKenzie

Wesley McKenzie, Lighting Designer for The Rape of Lucretia (2016)

Having come from a background in theatre production, lighting for opera is a special treat for me. When I think of opera, I think of big elaborate and ornate spectacle and performance, whereas theatre makes me think of intimate and empathetic stories. The Rape of Lucretia allows us to explore both. Read more »

The Role(s) of a Music Director

It’s an exciting time for the MYOpera family! Opening Night of The Rape of Lucretia is just two weeks away, and it’s thrilling to watch the show take shape as cast members delve deep into the music, their characters, and relationships on stage. It’s an exhilarating time for me – a time when I am consistently reminded of how fortunate I am to not only play the role of the music director as we mount a stunning opera, but also to be part of such a wonderful cast and artistic team, learning and exploring together as emerging artists and colleagues to bring an incredible work off the page and into the hearts of our audiences.

Vocal Score of The Rape of Lucretia by Benjamin Britten Photo: Dahlia Katz

The Role(s) of a Music Director

Preparing, rehearsing, and performing an opera is no small task. With a small, young company such as MYOpera, each member of the artistic team takes on many responsibilities that would typically be covered by several people in a larger company. The major music-related positions are the repetiteur, the conductor, and the vocal coach: Read more »