Faustine
an opera in development
for six voices and orchestra (2011-)
Faustine is an opera in development with playwright Lucy Thurber after the novella by Emma Tennant, with support from NY City Opera VOX, ROH2 at Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and Aldeburgh Young Artist Residencies. It is the story of an older woman, Muriel, who sells her soul to the devil for eternal youth because she is in love with her daughter's lover. The project has received support from Center for Contemporary Opera, NY City Opera VOX, New Music USA CAP Performance program, ROH2 at Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and Aldeburgh Young Artist Residencies.
Click here to listen to excerpts from Faustine on the New York City Opera website
Click here to see a PDF of the first page of the score
Review of the New York City Opera VOX showcase performance, May 2011
...Artistic Director George Steel was on hand to assure us that, while the works of some Vox participants (John Zorn and Stephen Schwartz among them), have indeed been produced by the company, VOX is no mere scouting endeavor.
Still, if one were to handicap what Steel might next select for a full production from these readings, a good bet would be “Faustine,” a retelling of the Faust story with a female protagonist by Arlene Sierra. Paired with librettist Lucy Thurber -- a recent opera convert but already a sure hand at crafting memorable and singable lines – it was the most musically adventurous, tightly constructed and dramatically sound of the works-in-progress on offer.
Sierra’s musical language encompasses both acerbic dissonance where the plot requires it and, elsewhere, supple melodies of considerable sweep. Particularly riveting were her duets for the devil -- here unctuously played and vividly sung by countertenor Jason Abrams -- and the leading role, sung with earthy resonance by mezzo-soprano Jennifer Roderer. ...the Vox reading suggested that Thurber and Sierra are well on the way toward
crafting a memorable new opera.
Musical America
WQXR’s Jeff Spurgeon interviews Arlene Sierra and Lucy Thurber, May 2011, plus photos from the VOX performance
please allow time for the video to upload
arlene sierra,composer biography works performances, 12/13 reviews debut cd contact
listen: orchestral listen: vocal listen: chamber faustine art of war
ny phil: game of attrition interviews photos past performances
Cecilian Music, New York and London © 2012
New York City Opera Orchestra, Conductor: Ryan McAdams, Musical Preparation: Lynn Baker
Devil: Jason Abrams, Muriel: Jennifer Roderer, Ella: Deanna Breiwick, Anna: Amanda Pabyan, Harry: Ian Greenlaw
Photography © Liz Thornton
