This new opera succeeds musically, visually, and narratively. Composer Bernard Rands, librettist JD McClatchy, and the creative production team juxtapose the progressive inner disintegration of van Gogh's psyche with the concurrent advancement of his artistic vision and skill. The opera begins with an empty, blackened stage, suffused only with music: all mind; no art. At the opera's conclusion, the stage is filled (using digital technology) with his art, which visually overpowers the corpse of van Gogh: only his art remains. This is an "interior," psychological opera: scenes and actions are minimal, while Van Gogh's inner mental state is well conveyed in the music. In the wrong creative hands, this arrangement could spell disaster; not so in this case. This opera will take its rightful place in the national repertoire.
Indiana University Musical Arts Center @
- Bloomington @
, IN @
- Fri, Apr 15, 2011 @
Favorite moment: Van Gogh and Gauguin in a brothel in Arles. This inner poverty of van Gogh's life is exposed with few words, to great effect. @