I HAVE BEEN GASPARIZED! To be honest, I am a bit nervous about it all–even after all of these years.......I still get nervous. This composition represents a year of my life, Italy,an extended process of composing a larger work, the unbelievable experiences while composing LA DIVINA SIRENA, the people I met, all of the dream that has changed my life forever has left me Gasparized. So, there is more in it than just a performance......so much emotion, so much love and joy, so much angst...... Here is my commentary about LA DIVINA SIRENA incuded in tonights program: The evolution of my cantata has been fortuitous, serendipitous, and magical in every way. LA DIVINA SIRENA is the result of my seventh-month sabbatical in Italy this past spring/summer. As many of you followed my blog of the evolution of this work, this process truly became an unbelievable adventure. From meeting and having dinner twice with Isabella di Collalto, the direct descendent of Collaltino, to living just eight minutes from Castle San Salvatore where Gaspara and Collaltino were in 1554, to castle encounters that facilitated a life-changing chain of events–all this has fostered an amazing personal, musical, and spiritual journey that has been transformative in every way. LA DIVNIA SIRENA is the largest project of my compositional life, and it also represents a new chapter in my living. It contains some of the most interesting new material that I have written to date. Like many composers before me, I have included musical material that was written prior to my sabbatical in Italy, but I have adapted, arranged, reworked each as well as composed new music for the two arias from 1985. Bach never heard the entire B MINOR MASS in its entirety, and his monumental work contained compositions from various periods in his life. The Prologue, all of the recitatives, choruses and Gasparas last aria, La mia vita, are newly composed, and the two other arias were written in 1985, but both have been reworked this spring. What a wonderful experience it has been for me to discover Gaspara and Collaltino, to research and compile an informative libretto, and to compose what I hope will be interesting music to others. Interestingly enough, I have been asked by several Italians to make this work into an opera. I am not sure about that; however, I will continue to work on the cantata with the addition of the final installments later in 2015: a womens chorus, a mens chorus (Chorus of the Lancers), and a violent duet between the two lovers. I am pleased with what has been accomplished so far. Thanks for all your support through this musical and personal journey that has left me forever changed. ------ Elizabeth Castillo (Gaspara) sounds fantastic, and I will meet with Chris ORear (Collaltino) today. If Leana Martone and I find actual words of Collaltino, there will be another recit and aria for him, and this research is on-going, even as we speak. A special thank you to Sooyeon Lee, third-year doctoral student in choral conducting, for her outstanding work as collaborative pianist on my new composition. From Gasparas heart: · Viver ardendo e non sentire il male. To live burning and not to feel the pain. · Conte dovè andata la fé si tosto, che mavete data? Where has fled so soon the faithful love that once you swore to me? · E io mi resto al sole ed à la luna piangendo sempre la sventura mia. And I remain weeping to the moon and sun my great misfortune for all time. · Rimandatem il cor, empio tiranno. O cruel Tyrant, give me back my heart. · Lassa, chio sola vinco linfinità! I alone conquer infinity! The Gasparization happens tonight. Volare.... J
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 15:17:59 +0000
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