Entries by Judlyne Lilly

Vanessa, Stripped Down

Even though operas from long ago are still being performed, there’s a movement afoot to freshen them up or to do new 21st century operas. In the case of the 1958 opera Vanessa, a production by Heartbeat Opera is doing a stripped-down version of the Pulitzer Prize winning work. It’s directed by RB Schlather.  At […]

Step by Step, the Ruby Bridges Suite

Sometimes when someone makes a suggestion to you, it kind of sticks with you.  That’s what happened to jazz artist Darrell Grant.  He decided to act on this suggestion from a friend by composing Step by Step, The Ruby Bridges Suite.  It is a piece about the 6-year-old girl who was the first African American […]

Music About The Earth

In honor of Earth Month, April, more than a few composers have released albums about their love of our home planet, and their anxiety about its health. This week’s episode features three of those albums. UNDREAMED SHORES, THE ELASTIC HEART OF YOUTH AND WHAT IS NOIS These are links to the competitions and opportunities mentioned […]

NEW TIMES by Judlyne A Lilly

This play, set in 1967, is about the first African American manager of a dormitory at a prestigious women’s college. THE CAST OF NEW TIMES SHANNA RICHARDS –  DIANE MARSHALL DEANDRA CHANDLER – SAGE JOHNSON VIVIAN GLAUER – HORTENSE AMSTEN NATALIA RIOS – MOLLY HARGROVE JULIETTE QUITA – RAINE TAYLOR KRISTEN MORLEY –  NARRATOR

A Hero’s Life Meets The Old And The New With A World Premiere Recording

Conductor and Music Director JoAnn Falletta of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra has fulfilled a dream.  She’s released A Hero’s Life.  The album has two pieces, one from Richard Strauss and another that’s a world premiere recording of Behzad Ranjbaran’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra.  Falletta is also releasing another edition of her book of poetry, […]