Opera Archives - Detroit Opera
“John Cage 1992,” Steven Speliotis, courtesy College for Creative Studies' Center Galleries.
Merce Cunningham and John Cage perform "How to Pass, Kick, Fall, and Run" at Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, April 13, 1971. Photo: University Musical Society.

John Cage’s Detroit: Sounds of Silence

The 1950s saw Cage toying with the very foundational ideas of composition. After receiving a copy of the I-Ching—a classic Chinese divination tool—from a pupil, Cage began employing the text to elicit chance procedures in his musical works. This period saw Cage develop his philosophies around sound, silence, and the concept of “music” in an …

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John Cage’s Detroit: Early Years

John Cage during his 1966 concert at the opening of the National Arts Foundation in Washington, DC. Credit: Rowland Scherman, Getty Images The first question I ask myself when something doesn’t seem to be beautiful is why do I think it’s not beautiful. And very shortly you discover that there is no reason.” – John …

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The Detroit Passion for Performance

Guest Post by Isabella Crispino, Detroit City Football Club Marketing Manager and first time opera goer As I enter my eighth year in professional sports, my eye has sharpened its skill to find beauty in all types of performances.  Whether the smoke of Keyworth filling the air after a goal or the echoing applause erupting …

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Putting It Together: The Piano Parts of Europera 3

What do opera production and furniture building have in common?  The old adage “Follow the instructions!” Words by Matthew Principe, Detroit Opera Staff Many opera scores from the 19th and 20th centuries come with instructions included – dynamic and tempo markings and perhaps entrances and stage directions within the score. Some composers include notes to prepare …

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Detroit Opera Music Director Roberto Kalb on One Detroit

Roberto Kalb, Detroit Opera Music Director, sat down with Cecelia Sharpe, One Detroit contributor, to discuss Detroit Opera’s upcoming season! Listen to hear about Maestro Kalb’s background and thoughts about the uniqueness of Detroit Opera. 23-24 Opera Season Trailer https://youtu.be/_1VBHgurI3k

Releasing Butterfly

By Matthew Ozawa Director of Madame Butterfly As we allow ourselves to become immersed in the fantasy of Japan portrayed in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, it’s illuminating to consider through whose lens we are viewing this opera. What experiences, perspectives, histories, and biases do we bring with us as we engage with Butterfly’s story?  When I …

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The Life and Legacy of Federico García Lorca

Lisa Montes Ph.D. Department of Romance Languages and Literatures University of Michigan   Born June 5,1898, in Fuente Vaqueros, a small town in Granada, Federico García Lorca spent much of his childhood experiencing the culture of rural Spain.  The eldest of four, Lorca was the child of a teacher and wealthy landowner.  From an early …

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Detroit Opera Announces 23/24 Opera Season

Detroit Opera announces its 2023–24 Opera season under the leadership of President and CEO Wayne S. Brown, Gary L. Wasserman Artistic Director Yuval Sharon, Associate Artistic Director Christine Goerke, and Music Director Roberto Kalb. In the coming season, Detroit Opera will present four operas embracing the themes of collision and collage, with stories spotlighting characters …

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