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Event
Swan's Inlet by Mark Alan Taggart
Set on the south Atlantic coast in the mid-1980s Swans Inlet opens with Eva, an aspiring singer, accompanying her father, Thomas, a war veteran with PTSD, to Mayor Beauregards reelection speech. Beauregard, a buffoon, promises the townspeople a statue of a mullet honoring the local fishing industry. The crowd applauds. Eva wants to leave town to study music, but feels bound by her fathers disability. Her friend Kendra introduces her to Marco, an artist who urges Eva to find a way to sing. Eva forms a chorus. She asks the mayor and his wife, Laverne, for rehearsal space, and when they refuse it, Marco offers Eva his barn. He is attracted to her, but fears he would hold her back. Eva performs with her chorus and her father sings. The townspeople are awestruck; the music has healed Thomas. The Beauregards invite the chorus to sing for the mullet unveiling. When a concrete fish is revealed, everyone is horrified. Marco donates a beautiful sculpture in its place and dedicates it to Eva. Eva, seeing her father restored, knows she can depart for the city.
Mark Alan Taggart is a composer, avid runner, and Professor of Music Composition at East Carolina University. He has also served ECU as Chair of the Faculty. He writes for opera, symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, chorus, and solo and chamber ensembles. His music has been performed throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, China and Japan. A review of his Symphony of Spirituals describes his music as sublimeit left the listener wanting for more. He lives in Greenville, North Carolina, with his wife, LeeAnn, and son, Karl.
Ann McCutchan's writing springs from deep interests in music, art, nature, and creativity, and the ways they shape individuals, places, and history. Her five books include a biography of French flute virtuoso Marcel Moyse and a collection of interviews with composers about the creative process both important contributions to the literature of music and creativity. Others include Circular Breathing: Meditations From a Musical Life, River Music: An Atchafalaya Story, and Wheres the Moon? a Memoir of the Space Coast and the Florida Dream. She is currently writing a biography of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of The Yearling, for W.W. Norton. Formerly a professional clarinetist and contemporary music advocate, Ann is the author of seven previous musical texts and libretti.
Cast and Creative Team
Composer Mark Allan Taggart
Librettist Ann McCutchan
Conductor Chris Buddo
Director Nina Brazier
Pianist/Coach Laetitia Ruccollo
Eva Kristina Bachrach
Kendra Glacéia Henderson
Thomas David Charles Tay
Marco Aaron Theno
LaVerne Elise Caluwaerts
Chester David Neal
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LocationNational Opera America Center (View)
330 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10001
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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Contact
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