Well, my Bay Area friends, finally an opera event closer to home!
I’m pleased to announce River of Light will receive its west coast premiere with Festival Opera on November 13 & 14 2015 at the Shadelands Art Center, Walnut Creek, CA.
River of Light tells a new version of the immigrant story through the eyes of one woman. Having moved from India, Meera loves her new husband, her high-powered job, and her lifestyle—until the birth of her daughter makes her long to recreate authentic Diwali traditions at home.
Traditional Indian instruments (sitar & tabla) and dancers augment the cast and orchestra for the production. Choreography by Antonia Minnecola, a rare American artist recognized as a leading exponent of North Indian Kathak dance.
Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera, and with a libretto by award-winning novelist, poet and activist Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, River of Light shares a double bill with Savitri, by one of my all-time composer-heroes, Gustav Holst. Savitri is a chamber opera in one act based on the episode of Savitri and Satyavan from the MahÄbhÄrata.Â
See you at the premiere!