Page to Stage: Kommilitonen! Event
On November 10, patrons of the Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts along with members of the Juilliard Ovation Society enjoyed a special presentation on Juilliard Opera's upcoming production of Kommilitonen! as part of Juilliard's new Page to Stage series. Brian Zeger, Artistic Director of the Ellen and James Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts, moderated a panel discussion with librettist and director David Pountney, conductor Anne Manson, and composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, CBE. The opera, co-commissioned by Juilliard and the Royal Academy of Music, interweaves three stories of student activism in the midst of the civil rights movements in the American South, in Nazi Germany, and during China's Cultural Revolution. Juilliard Opera will be presenting the American premiere performances on November 16 and 18 at 8 p.m. and November 20 at 2 p.m.
We hope you enjoy the following audio selections from the panel discussion and special presentation as well as photos from panel discussion, special presentation, and reception.
| Play | David Pountney discusses the origin of his collaboration with Peter Maxwell Davies. |
| Play | David Pountney gives an overview of the Kommilitonen's landscape and structure. |
| Play | Peter Maxwell Davies discusses infusing Kommilitonen's score with Copland and Schumann. |
| Play | Anne Manson describes how she interpreted the varied musical languages of Kommilitonen's score. |
| Play |
Peter Maxwell Davies talks about composers' masks, modern music and conducting lessons with Leonard Bernstein. |
Brian Zeger, artistic director of the Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute of Vocal Arts (far right), leads the discussion with Kommilitonen! artistic team (left to right) librettist and director David Pountney, conductor Anne Manson, and composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davis, CBE. Back to Top
In an excerpt from the Chinese Cultural Revolution storyline within the opera, Lacey Jo Benter (MM '11, voice), portrays "The Voice of the Mother" and informs her children Heather Engebretson (MM '13, voice) and Wallis Giunta (AD '13, opera studies) of what they should do given the impending revolution. Back to Top
Left to right: Brian Zeger with Juilliard trustee James S. Marcus. Back to Top
Left to right: Vocal Arts students Wallis Giunta (AD '13, opera studies) and Will Liverman (MM '12, voice) with Lacey Jo Benter (MM '11, voice). Back to Top
Ovation Society member Adele Lerner with Vocal Arts associate coach Adam Nielsen. Back to Top
Left to right: Ovation Society members Susan Morrison and Anna Collins. Back to Top
Left to right: Augustus Juilliard Society member Eliane Bukantz with Lori Padua, director of major and planned gifts. Back to Top
Left to right: Ovation Society member Barbara Bishop and Joan Danzinger. Back to Top
Left to right: Peggy Monastra and Colin Parkinson. Back to Top
Left to right: Curtis Houlihan and Joan Diamond. Back to Top
Left to right: Former Juilliard Council member Ute Krayenbuehl, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, CBE, and Thomas Krayenbuehl. Back to Top
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