Dear friends and family,
American Lyric Theater (ALT) is exclusively dedicated to empowering the composers and librettists that are writing the operatic masterpieces of tomorrow.
For more than 10 years, ALT has been devoted to cultivating emerging opera composers and librettists in the United States. The award-winning faculty commits up to five years mentoring each Artist in Residence. Since inception, ALT alums have debuted numerous critically-acclaimed operas nationwide and received commissions from companies like the Metropolitan Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
A few years ago, I was accepted into ALT's life-changing Composer Librettist Development Program. Our small group received instruction from some of the most acclaimed opera creators working today, including Cori Ellison, Mark Campbell, Mark Adamo, and Paul Moravec. Director Larry Edelson has created a program that opens doors for its students.
Since completing the program, ALT commissioned composer Evan Meier and me to create a family friendly opera that we've entitled "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Fallen Giant." This mash-up of Victorian-era mystery and fairy tale fun has had a libretto reading and a piano vocal workshop in New York City, fully supported by ALT, with singers and pianists and harpists and conductors. We are continuing to develop the piece with their support. ALT is also where I met composer Theo Popov. He and I were commissioned to write a new opera on social issues last year by University of Maryland's Maryland Opera Studio. The premiere of "Town Hall" in February was such a joy, and the piece is already scheduled for a second production. This is the kind of real results that come out of this program.
All of the operas we love were once world premieres. This cycle must continue. Help ALT continue their transformative work of supporting emerging composers and librettists by giving them the tools to ensure that today’s premieres can become tomorrow’s classics. I hope that you'll help me to support this wonderful program with a donation today! The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is matching all donations to American Lyric Theater up to $50,000! So anything you give NOW will have TWICE the impact.
There is such power in combining words and music. Please join me in support of this wonderful program that does so much to support artists, and the creation of new work.
