The evening will begin with a holiday reception at 6 PM, followed by a sneak preview of Ricky Ian Gordon and Michael Korie's new opera The Grapes of Wrath, which is based on the classic John Steinbeck novel and will make its world premiere in February 2007 at the Minnesota Opera Company.
The evening at the LGBT Center will feature a discussion with creators Gordon and Korie moderated by Opera News feature editor Brian Kellow. Selections from the opera will be performed by Mary Phillips, Theodore Chletsos, Brian Leerhuber, John Michael Moore, Julia Mintzer and pianist Tim Long.
The Grapes of Wrath features music by Gordon and a libretto by Korie. After its Minnesota debut, the opera — which traces the Joad family's arduous journey from Oklahoma to California — is scheduled to play the Utah Opera in spring 2007 and both the Houston Grand Opera and Pittsburgh Opera in 2008.
Ricky Ian Gordon’s My Life with Albertine was presented at Playwrights Horizons. His other works include Dream True, States of Independence, Stonewall/Night Variations, The Tibetan Book of the Dead, Only Heaven, Autumn Valentine, Sweet Song and Morning Star. His songs have been recorded by such artists as Betty Buckley, Audra McDonald and Dawn Upshaw. PS Classics recently released Gordon's Dream True with a cast headed by Victoria Clark, Jessica Molaskey, Jason Danieley, Brian d'Arcy James, Kelli O'Hara, Jeff McCarthy, Clark Thorell and Michael McElroy.
The LGBT Center is located in Manhattan at 208 West 13th Street. For reservations call Ector Simpson at (212) 620-7310, ext. 269 or e-mail [email protected]. A voluntary contribution is requested.
