Laughter in Jericho – a chamber opera in one act
Laughter in Jericho is my fifth opera and was commissioned in 1997 by Lou Rodgers for Golden Fleece, Ltd., the Composer’s Chamber Theatre. This work is a fictional account of the confrontation at Ruby Ridge in 1993. Scored for voices, tape, viola, and piano, the composition of this work was supported, in part, by a Summer Fellowship from the University of Northern Iowa Graduate College and by the Millay Colony for the Arts, New York.
Laughter in Jericho was premiered 20-23 November 1997 by Golden Fleece at The Sanford Meisner Theater in New York City. The opera was double cast, and featured Lucy Sorlucco and Anne Jacobs (Sarah); Lee Poulis and Mark Peters (Ray); John Nelson and Randall Schloss (Jimmy); Beth Fischer and Thais Schaller-Thomas (Melody); and Richard Spore (FBI Man). The production staff included Gary M. Schneider (music director & conductor); Lou Rodgers (stage director); Lou Anne Gilleland (set design); David Shepherd (lighting design); Peter Stein (viola); and Joe Arsenault (piano).
- Instrumentation:
- soprano, mezzo, tenor, baritone, 2 actors, viola, piano, electronics
- Date completed:
- 1997
- Duration:
- ca. 15:00
- Author:
- Libretto by the composer
See a performance
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