The Many Deaths Of Laila Starr is historic. It’s one of the few operas covering South Asian themes. It centers on Laila Starr, the Avatar of Death living as a mortal in Mumbai, India.
It was created by composer Kamala Sankaram, and the librettist, Minita Gandhi via The New Works Initiative at the Minnesota Opera.
Hear how their backgrounds, talents and curiosity shaped The Many Deaths of Laila Starr.
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Now that Gustavo Dudamel is holding the baton for the New York Philharmonic, the classical music community is all atwitter. He says he’s not coming in to make changes, but changes will most likely come.
And on the west coast, from whence he came there’s Dale Hikawa Silverman, a violist and the first Asian American woman at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She tells stories of her 40-year career so far with the orchestra in her documentary DALE.
Here are the links to some stories mentioned in the podcast.
Morgiane, the opera by Louisiana native Edmond Dédé got national and international attention when it was performed and recorded earlier this year. This 1887 opera was finally included in the opera canon after 138 years and a 12-year effort by Givonna Joseph, Artistic Director of Opera Creole in New Orleans. This opera company continues singing about historical events in the Black community of New Orleans and beyond as they prepare for their 2026-2027 season.
Here are links to other items mentioned in the podcast.
Since the 21st century started in earnest, there’s been some discussion about opera. New operas versus the standard repertoire and how it’s measured against the prevailing views about race and attitudes. Now comes One Ounce Opera out of Austin, Texas. They are seeking to throw the old views out about everything that opera represents with their annual show Fresh Squeezed Ounce of Opera.
Julie Fiore – Founder of One Ounce Opera
Then there’s the horror of a singer being flogged and more for not wearing a hijab.
And here’s a question: What’s NOT going on at the Kennedy Center, especially when it comes to the National Symphony Orchestra.
A soothing album as a balm for the ICE infested people of Minneapolis.
This guy likes to play his piano outdoors
These are the links to other items mentioned in the podcast.
We are just days away from the actual 250th birthday of America. The music developed for this event just keeps coming. Perhaps none as expansive as the Declaration Project from pianist Lara Downes. She created it to get various takes from anyone about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This national program will end with a concert at Lincoln Center in New York.
Here are the links to other items mentioned in the podcast.
Many classical music groups have released new music or albums about the 250th birthday of America. Some are straightforward, others take a diverse view, like the Apollo Chamber Players.
Founder and Director Matthew Detrick says the album, We The People, features music from composers with disparate American experiences.
Here are links to some of the stories mentioned on the podcast.
We have been inundated with new music and performances of old patriotic music because of the 250th birthday of the United States. On this June 8th podcast, I’m starting a series on music composed and performed specifically for the big bash next month.
This time it’s Karen LeFrak’s American Promise.
You’ll also meet Dawn Carroll who was inspired to compose Songs for Mary.
It’s aboutMary Cardwell Dawson, a woman who created the National Negro Opera Company in the Pittsburgh home that housed some famous Black sports figures and music makers. BTW: The song “If the Walls Could Talk” was enhanced by Danny Borgers
June is also the month of Juneteenth and Pride month celebrations with some big firsts among them.
Here are the links to some of the other items mentioned in the podcast.
There aren’t many musicians, classical or otherwise who aren’t presenting their own versions of a birthday song for America’s 250th.
On this episode, we hear from Min Kwon, a pianist with a little activist nature on the side.
Back in 2021 she started a project called America/Beautiful. Since then she’s commissioned over 70 composers to come up with their musical versions of what’s beautiful about America at this time using the song America the Beautiful as source material. Plus it was important to her because she has two daughters, with birthdays on Presidents’ Day and on the Fourth of July.
Here are links to items mentioned in the podcast.
Many orchestras and chamber groups are celebrating the 250th anniversary of America’s founding this year.
While most of the music is a positive portrayal of the United States there is at least one musical work telling the tale of the horrific treatment of Native Americans and their lands.
The piece is Requiem For America by Mohican/Munsee-Lenape composer Brent Michael Davids. He describes it as a searing work confronting hard truths about America’s founding. It’ll be performed by the BBC Orchestra in London this month, before its American premiere in November.
Here are the links to the other stories mentioned in the podcast
