Portland, Maine 04104
The 2024 Studio Artist Program will present two performances of Rappahannock County which pairs the outstanding and celebrated talents of composer Ricky Ian Gordon and librettist Mark Campbell. Rappahannock County is a theatrical song cycle that captures key emotional, sociological, and historical moments in the Civil War. Much of the text was inspired by actual events and drawn from diaries, letters, and other accounts. The narrative follows the lines of history, from secession in 1861 to defeat in 1865, and is in five parts. Although the story is centered geographically in Virginia, its themes are universal to the Civil War. It is described as such by Wes Blomster of Opera Today: “The piece has the sense of a lens closing in on a spectrum of individuals and their feelings around slavery and morality in a profound and poignant way…’ Opera Maine’s production will premiere a special score composed for two pianos. Sung in English. 85 minutes with no intermission.
There will be a pre-performance talk with Calien Lewis and a post-performance conversation with Dona D. Vaughn and the cast.
For more information:
Ticket price: $35 | Free for anyone 25 and under | $3 additional processing fee
Venue: Portland Stage 25A Forest Ave Portland, ME 04101
Accessibility notes: Wheelchair seating in the first row only. Closed captioning during performance.
TO RESERVE SEATING 25 AND UNDER: CONTACT OPERA MAINE AT OPERAMAINE@OPERAMAINE.ORG