Underwater Acoustics (2018)

Commissioned by American Opera Projects for the Chautauqua Opera Company
Part of the Composer-in-Residence program at the 2018 Chautauqua Opera

Team

2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Harp, Timpani, Percussion, Strings. Mezzo-Soprano.

Preface

Underwater Acoustics (2018) is a concert aria for mezzo-soprano and orchestra on the poem by Rajiv Mohabir. The work was composed specifically for the semi-outdoor amphitheater at the Chautauqua Institute, and incorporates a quiet hum from the audience at the piece's conclusion, inviting audiences to consider all the sounds of their surrounding environment as an integral part of the listening experience.

Underwater Acoustics was commissioned by American Opera Projects for the Chautauqua Opera Company as part of the 2018 Chautauqua Opera Composer-in-Residence program.

Heard

Underwater Acoustics received its world premiere on July 14, 2018 at the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater, with Steven Osgood conducting the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, featuring mezzo-soprano Alexandra Rodrick.

Photos by Dave Munch.