A composer who has written music for television and radio and whose opera Medea will have its world premiere at UT will be an artist-in-residence this fall.
Larry Delinger will be the composer in residence at the UT School of Music from September 22 to November 12. He will work with students, faculty, and guest artists and will also host talks. UT’s major ensembles will give concerts featuring his music, and Knoxville’s Marble City Opera will present two of Delinger’s chamber operas. The community is invited to these events.
The UT Opera Theatre will present Medea as its fall performance November 7 to 9. The work is an adaptation of the ancient Greek play about a protagonist who finds her position in the world threatened and the revenge she takes against her husband who has betrayed her for another woman. Douglas Langworthy translated the text from a German version of the play and wrote the libretto for Delinger’s opera.
The UT performance will be the work’s debut. It will be directed by John Sipes, associate professor of theatre, and conducted by Kevin Class, associate professor of music.
“Larry Delinger is not only an exceptionally gifted composer, but also an enthusiastic educator,” said Class, who is music director of the UT Opera Theatre. “For students to be able to work with him on the world premiere of an opera is a unique opportunity to participate in the creative process with a composer.”
The campus and Knoxville community will have the chance to interact with Delinger through the various concerts and talks.
“We have worked into Larry’s residency several opportunities for people to ask questions as well as hear Larry talk about his music and his creative process,” Class said.
Delinger has written accompanying music for theaters in the United States and Europe, including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, National Actors Theater in New York City and the Oslo Nye Theater in Norway. He has composed music for Sesame Street, a rock album titled Ray Bradbury’s Dark Carnival, and the ballet Spheres for Dance Umbrella of New York. He has received numerous commissions, and many of his compositions have been published.
Performances to take place around Delinger’s residency:
October 24: Larry Delinger Portrait Concert is a performance by UT faculty, students, guest artists, and the UT Contemporary Music Ensemble. The free concert begins at 8:00 p.m. in the Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall of the Natalie Haslam Music Center, 1741 Volunteer Boulevard.
October 27: “Talk to Me Like the Composer” is a free conversation with Larry Delinger about writing for the theater and the composition of three operas: Talk to Me Like the Rain, Amelia Lost and Medea. It will include brief musical previews by the UT Opera Theatre and Marble City Opera. This free event begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Emporium Gallery, 100 South Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville.
October 30 to November 1: Talk to Me like the Rain and Amelia Lost. Marble City Opera will present these two chamber operas by Larry Delinger at 8:00 p.m. on October 30 and at 2:00 p.m. on November 1 at The Square Room, 4 Market Square, in downtown Knoxville. For tickets, call 865-544-4199.
November 4: UT Wind Ensemble will perform Delinger’s “Paradox for Brass Ensemble” at 8:00 p.m. in the Cox Auditorium of the Alumni Memorial Building, 1408 Middle Drive. The event is free and open to the public.
November 7 to 9: UT Opera Theatre will present the world premiere of Medea during evening and matinee performances at the Relix Variety Theatre, 1208 North Central Street. Ticket info is available online. A question-and-answer session with the composer, director, and conductor will follow each performance.
November 16: UT Chamber Orchestra and Contemporary Music Ensemble will present works including Delinger’s “Traces for String Orchestra” and “Elegy for Trumpet and Strings” at 4:00 p.m. in the Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall of the Natalie Haslam Music Center, 1741 Volunteer Boulevard. The event is free and open to the public.
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CONTACT:
Lola Alapo (865-974-3993, lalapo@utk.edu)
Kevin Class (217-714-6267, kclass@utk.edu)