Fireworks
an American opera buffa
Billy Aronson, words. Kitty Brazelton, music.
freedom of individual expression—democracy—An opera for the 4th of July!
STORY: An alien (INTERGALACTIC de TOCQUEVILLE or I.T.) is sent to earth to research why these colored lights emit "every time this globe hits a certain point..." Landing in a town park, her research leads I.T. (soprano) into chance encounters with five very individual Americans—NERD (baritone), SINGLE MOM (alto), TEENAGE REBEL (mezzo), ACTOR (tenor) and GROUNDSKEEPER (bass). A madcap tangle of wishes and misunderstandings accumulate. As the farce heats up, delightfully unexpected insights into what it means to be free—result.
Collage of get-to-know-you excerpts from workshops and one fully staged outdoor production in Brooklyn's Fort Greene Park. All commissioned, developed and produced by American Opera Projects between 1999 and 2002. And directed by Grethe Barrett Holby (whose idea it was to have an opera for a holiday when everyone is off with their families).
Excerpts from American Opera Projects workshops
and 2002 premiere produced in collaboration
with NYC Department of Parks and Recreation
Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn, July 2, 2002
Music by Kitty Brazelton
Words by Billy Aronson
Director, Grethe Barrett Holby
Conductor, Wendy Cavett
INTERGALACTIC de TOCQUEVILLE (I.T.) - Ann Hoyt, coloratura soprano
SINGLE MOM - Crystal Williams, alto
TEENAGE REBEL - Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano
NERD - Scott Pattison, baritone
ACTOR - Michael Lee Wade, tenor
GROUNDSKEEPER - Ivan Thomas, bass
