Now in its fifth season, The New Golden Age: American Opera in the Twenty-First Century is a stand-alone or three-part lecture series that explores the dynamic and lyrical styles, themes, and historical context for contemporary, American opera. The talks feature works written in the last ten years by such operatic luminaries as Tobias Picker, John Adams, Philip Glass, Mark Adamo, Ricky Ian Gordon, Anthony Davis, Steve Mackey, John Corligliano, and other prominent figures. Damon Ferrante, an opera composer and producer, conducts the lectures, which are augmented by live performances from professional opera singers and DVD recordings, libretti, scores, and program notes—many of which are not commercially available—provided by the composers, librettists, and publishers. Click here for the 2007 brochure, or here for the recent East Hampton Star article about the lecture series. The New York State Council for the Arts provided funding for the series. This season's guest artists will include the composers Ricky Ian Gordon, David Del Tredici, and Anthony Davis.

WLIU
Damon Ferrante discusses his opera, "Jefferson & Poe", and American operas with WLIU's Bonnie Grice on July 30, 2009.
Listen to the interview

For more information or to book the series, please contact:
production@steeplechasearts.com

or write to:

Steeplechase Arts & Productions
P.O. BOX: 1234
Ridgewood, NJ O7451-1234

"I must confess that I was never a fan of the opera before, but after attending Mr. Ferrante's lectures, one cannot help but be enthusiastic about American Opera."
-Patria Baradi Pacis of The Montauk Pioneer

"The library has it own composer in residence, Damon Ferrante, who…is putting on a series of excellent musical programs."
-Helen S. Rattray, publisher, The East Hampton Star>

To find out about each performer, please click on their picture.