What
is "Gertrude Stein Invents A Jump Early On" about?
Gertrude Stein Invents
A Jump Early On is a new music opera about Gertrude Stein's struggle
to establish herself as a writer, to define what her writing was going
to accomplish, deal with her critics especially her brother Leo, and to
accept the overwhelming recognition once she became known to the American
public.
When
did the opera premier?
Encompass New Opera
Theatre premiered this opera in New York City at Symphony
Space, Thalia Theatre, June 15-18, 2005. The program entitled
A Gertrude Stein Musical Trilogy included two short vocal compositions
by Virgil Thomson (Capital Capitals) and Ned Rorem (Three Sisters Who
Were Not Sisters) both based on texts by Gertrude Stein.
The first workshop in New York City took place on March 10, 2002, at the Manhattan School of Music. For more details about this workshop, see Opera Notes.
Will
there be other performances of the Stein opera?
Yes, but no dates are set yet. Join the Stein opera news group to stay informed.
Has anything been written about the development of the Stein opera?
Yes, The Steiny Road to Operadom: The Making of American Operas by Karren Alenier came out from Unlimited Publishing in limited advance release in October 1, 2007. Visit the publisher's website to order your copy now. More information about how this book came about at the author's publishing blog.
What
is the history of the music?
William Banfield began
writing the music in June 2000. Stage-ready piano and vocal scores for
all three acts were delivered to the co-commissioners for review in December
2001and January 2002. The orchestral score was completed October 2004.
How
many singers are in the cast?
There are ten singers
and one actor. Voice parts include two sopranos, two mezzos, three tenors,
two baritones, and one bass-baritone.
How
many instruments are in the orchestra?
In the orchestral jazz
ensemble, there are eight musicians who play a variety of instruments
including the following: piano, base, cello, two violins, alto and soprano
saxophones, flute, and percussion (drum set, triangle, bell tree).
What
does the title "Gertrude Stein Invents A Jump Early On" mean?
Think of the title as a jazz invocation. Stein's work is
about word play and syncopation. I work with this rhythmic concept in
the opera. Early ON -- she was ahead of her time and still is.
What
happened at the Gertrude Stein Salon that preceded the world premiere?
Karren Alenier organized
a panel discussion that included Sarah Bay-Cheng, author of Mama
Dada: Gertrude Stein's Avant-Garde Theater; Barbara
Will, author of Gertrude Stein, Modernism and the Problem
of "Genius"; and Brenda Wineapple, author of Sister
Brother: Gertrude and Leo Stein. Director/Dramaturg Nancy Rhodes
moderated the program. Eve Gigliotti as Gertrude Stein and Rosalie Sullivan
as Alice B. Toklas accompanied by Christopher Fecteau on piano provided
examples of the music and l yrics. The program with sponsorship of the
Cuny Graduate Center took place June 10, 2005, at City University New
York, Martin
E. Segal Theatre Center and was videoed by CUNY.
How
can I obtain the libretto and memorabilia related to Gertrude Stein
Invents A Jump Early On?
To
purchase a copy of the libretto Gertrude Stein Invents
A Jump Early On, visit wordworksdc.com. Contact
poet@steinopera.com for more
information.
How
can I find out more about new operas being written today?
Visit the website of
Opera
America where Gertrude Stein Invents A Jump Early
On is listed and also Karren Alenier's column
The
Steiny Road To Operadom and arts blog The Dressing on scene4.com and her book The Steiny Road to Operadom: The Making of American Operas.
How
can I be kept informed about this opera?
Visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gertrudesteinopera
for current news. You may sign up as a member
of this news group.
How
can I participate in the continuing development of this opera?
The
Word Works continues to support the development costs of the opera,
including publicity, travel and communication expenses, transcription
of the music scores. Donations to The Word Works are tax-deductible. Ask
about our incentive gifts.
Make
checks to:
The
Word Works Stein Opera Fund
PO Box 42164
Washington, DC 20015
Indicate whether you would like to be listed as a contributor.
How
can I participate in a new production of this opera?
Encompass New Opera
Theatre is seeking donations and grants to finance new productions of
its Gertrude Stein Invents A Jump Early On. Box office receipts,
even if every performance is sold-out, do not cover production costs that
include: singer and musician fees, set materials, printed programs, postal
mailings, and overhead for the theater space and administrative support.
Donations to Encompass New Opera Theatre are tax-deductible.
Make
checks to:
The
Encompass Stein Opera Fund
c/o Nancy Rhodes
484
West 43rd Street #20H
New York, NY 10036
Indicate whether you would like to be listed as a contributor.
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