Opera Chic

Last Call for NYCO's VOX Contemporary American Opera Lab Submissions

 

OC has an infinity with New York City Opera's VOX program (remember the time General Manager and Artistic Director of NYCO George Steel spoke to OC all about it?) As an initiative that fosters the untapped creativity of contemporary American opera composers, the NYCO hosts a free-of-charge, open-to-the public workshop every year that celebrates emerging opera composers and librettists. Entering its 12th season, the program finds new talent, encourages new audiences, and makes contemporary American opera accessible by staging works with NYCO musicians, performers and fund$. 

VOX put out their last call for this year's submission with the deadline set at October 1, which means all documents must be postmarked by then. It's like getting in your taxes, but cooler!

George Steel, The Opera Chic Interview, From Lincoln Center

(Above: Photo George Steel by Ren Perez)

Today opens VOX: Contemporary American Opera Lab, New York City Opera’s annual festival of free-of-charge, open-to-the public orchestral excerpts from new American operas (American composers and librettists). Currently on its 11th season and running for two days, the musical works are performed by the City Opera Orchestra, chorus, and soloists, and takes place at NYU's Skirball Centerfor the Performing Arts (free, but reservations need to be made at NYCO's website.

In the VOX program, NYCO concentrates their four point mission of making opera accessible to all audiences, championing new works, promoting American opera and encouraging young talent. It also uniquely provides a fertile staging ground for future NYCO productions, where works-in-progress are heard, giving composers a rare opportunity to see their works realized in true scale. Basically, it's scene, but for the classical music scensters.  

General Manager and Artistic Director of NYCO, George Steel, is dedicated to giving VOX the attention it deserves, completely involved in the programming, and making it increasingly central to NYCO's heart. He brings eleven former years of programming contemporary music from his leadership role as Executive Director of Miller Theatre at Columbia University, a well-rounded base for curating two days of varied music.

George Steel recently spoke with Opera Chic from New York City Opera’s home, the David H. Koch Theater, to give her the latest on what’s going on with NYCO and VOX.

Click the link below to read the full interview (including Steel's favorite composers and what he sometimes wears under his performance jacket!)