*The Sembrich roadside banner. Click to enlarge*

Although our 2022 festival at The Sembrich, REIMAGINING THE CLASSICS, is well underway, many of the performance details for the current season were arrived at during the past six months---from the ninth floor of the Professional Arts Building in Scranton, PA, in the three small rooms that serve as my composing and work studio for the months of the year when I’m not on Lake George.

Quite by chance, these past six months also featured productions of three of my operas: “A Visit to the Country” (Part Two of A CHEKHOV TRILOGY) at University of Georgia, “Losers,” Part Two of BALLYMORE at Illinois Wesleyan University and “Winners,” Part One of BALLYMORE at Westminster Choir College.

It’s always a pleasure to get word that one of my operas is being performed. But it’s an added bonus to be invited to participate in the rehearsal process as was the case in all three of these instances.

*University of Georgia cast of "A Visit to the Country."*

“A Visit to the Country,” the lyrical centerpiece of my trilogy of operas based on Chekhov stories, often gets overshadowed by the broad comedy of “The Music Shop,” the third segment of the Trilogy (and the most-often produced of my operas.) It was a pleasure to experience this University of Georgia production, directed by Daniel Ellis and conducted by Mark Cedel in its fully-orchestrated version. All of the student performers, singers and orchestra members alike, did themselves proud. The mid-November performances were live-streamed, affording members of The Sembrich community a chance to tune in and see the opera as well.

The New Year got underway with the Illinois Wesleyan University production of “Losers,” the second half of my Brian Friel-inspired opera, BALLYMORE, set in Northern Ireland in the 60’s. The work is among the most challenging of my operas, combining intricate vocal ensembles and rapid-fire counterpoint with slapstick comedy. But the two separate casts of undergraduate-level singers (ten performers in all) rose to the challenge fearlessly, convincingly portraying characters two and three times their ages.

The production was directed by Robert Mangialardi, who had seen the premiere production of the piece by Skylight Opera Theater in 1999 and who left no stone unturned in seeing the work realized at his university. Music Director Eva Ferguson skillfully guided the young singers through the preparation of the score and John Stark designed a wonderfully-detailed set. Internationally-acclaimed conductor, Kirk Trevor, was brought in to oversee the student orchestra.

Perhaps the most flattering compliment I received during my time at Illinois Wesleyan was that all the student singers, without exception, truly loved performing the score

*Portrait of Ernest Hillman, Jr. Click to enlarge*

No sooner had I returned from Illinois, than I was due to drive to Lawrenceville, New Jersey for the start of rehearsals of “Winners,” Part One of BALLYMORE at Westminster Choir College.

A very special aspect of this production was the reunion it afforded with two people who’ve been associated with this opera since the very beginning of its composition in the mid-90’s: Susan Ashbaker, Director of Westminster Opera Theatre, who participated in BALLYMORE’s original workshop with the Opera Company of Philadelphia---and brilliant stage director Dorothy Danner with whom I’ve had the privilege of working on all my operas.

In addition, it was a great honor (and quite a coincidence) to be invited as the guest speaker for the 2022 Hillman Lecture Series at the college, a series founded by family members of former president of The Sembrich Board of Directors, Ernest Hillman, Jr. (1908 – 2002). Ernie was always a great supporter of my work as a composer. In fact, he even spent a week at Chautauqua in 1993 to attend the premiere of my A CHEKHOV TRILOGY by Chautauqua Opera. So, needless to say, I felt doubly honored to speak on a series that bears his name.

*Richard Wargo discusses the composition of his opera BALLYMORE at the 2022 Hillman Lecture at Westminster Choir College.*

*Philip Kates and Richard Wargo at Westminster Choir College. Click to enlarge*

A unique aspect of this performance of “Winners” was that, prior to the performance of the opera, several scenes from the play that inspired the opera were performed by students from the theater department at Westminster.

Unlike most productions of my operas, where I'm allowed to stand in the back of the hall as a spectator, for these performances, I served as emcee for the show, introducing scenes from the play and talking about the composing process prior to the actual performance of the opera. Needless to say, this added responsibility added a level of stress to the proceedings.

But the experience proved to be a rewarding one, seeing the opera so beautifully directed and performed by two casts of talented student singers.

Phil Kates, a member of The Sembrich board, violinist with The Philadelphia Orchestra and a longtime friend, was on hand for the opening night performance and brought with him greetings and a gift basket from The Sembrich Board and Staff.

*No longer on the 9th floor but at lake level on The Sembrich grounds.*

With The Sembrich season now in full swing I’m no longer on the ninth floor but, rather, at lake level, and in residence for the season on The Sembrich grounds.

I look forward to seeing you all soon, at one of our many series of festival programs---or for a tour of the beautifully-renovated Sembrich studio.

Until then,

Notes from the 9th Floor - August 2022

Notes from the 9th Floor - January 2023

Notes from the 9th Floor - January 2022