By Annmarie Errico
It started in late 2011 with a very short piece for women’s choir and piano, “A Twist of Fate/You Give Me Faith." Over time, her compositions have grown steadily in duration and variety. Every new composition only comes deeper from her heart. Now, almost four years later, Aaron Copland School of Music senior Britlin Losee is premiering her first opera this Friday. And it has a whole lot of heart.
The modern opera, whose libretto Britlin wrote jointly with senior Annmarie Errico, follows the young Princess Fiora, as she faces an internal crisis when she discovers the infidelity of her father, the aptly named King Ego. As her world crumbles, Fiora struggles to muster up the courage to face her father and his conniving seductress, Civetta, all while trying to protect the delicate ignorance of her mother, Queen Gioiella. In many ways, it is the anti-fairy tale, where “happily ever after” isn’t necessarily a given, and where the pretty princess isn’t automatically chipper and shallow.
“[The opera] is mainly for young adults, and a generation of sons and daughters who have possibly gone through hardship [with] family,” Britlin says. Indeed, the opera’s core conflict is relatable for many – a loved one isn’t what they appear to be, and this discovery is catastrophic and damaging to the protagonist. Protagonist must adapt. Like it or not, we, as protagonists in our own lives, must face this situation sooner or later. Watching Fiora mirror this very real conflict on the stage will certainly be moving. “It's all about finding your own personal strength, and having the right people around you,” Britlin adds. “It's also about forgiveness and [having] faith in the unknown.”
As a female composer, Britlin is all too aware that women’s voices can get lost in the overwhelming majority of their male counterparts. That hasn’t stopped Britlin from pressing on, though. Her efforts even caught the attention of director Jonathan Keijser, who is making the documentary What Would Beethoven Do? to highlight young composers and inspire young people to express themselves through music. Britlin hopes to inspire young women especially so art forms like opera can be more equally represented.
The opera features soprano Kathryn Wieckhorst as the title role; baritone Alex Schirling as King Ego; soprano Alyson Spina as Queen Gioiella; tenor Carlos Ponce as the soldier Francesco; soprano Melanie Ramos as Civetta; soprano Nathalie Escudero as the young Gioiella; mezzo-soprano Viviana Amaya and bass-baritone Markus Kaitila as Serenita and Marco, a couple; and Jessica Altieriand Alyssa Rivera, sopranos, as servant girls. Soprano Elise Walters will be a featured dancer, performing choreography coordinated by herself and Ms. Altieri. Mr. Schirling is also the stage director.
The opera is scored for string ensemble and piano; string players are from the Queens College Orchestra and ACSM favorite David Taubman will be at the piano. Stephan Fillare will conduct. Be sure to attend this exciting premiere from an equally exciting young composer!
Details
Friday at 5 PM in LeFrak Concert Hall, Music Building, Queens College
Suggested $5 - $20 donation
Tickets are provided at the booth beside the concert hall entrance.
Duration approx. 1 hour
