The Book Collector & Carmina Burana
This historic World Premiere Event features the Dayton Opera, Dayton Philharmonic, Dayton Ballet, Dayton Opera Chorus, Dayton Philharmonic Chorus, and Kettering Children's Chorus.
Event details
* this page may be updated if event is repeated in the future *
The Book Collector & Carmina Burana
DPAA's Music Alive Composer-in-Residence, Dr. Stella Sung composed The Book Collector specifically to debut in Dayton. Starting with a concise one-act opera described as a “mystical landscape” that leads into composer Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana in a vibrant, energetic setting. The 24 poems set by Orff, written by students and clergy in medieval Latin and middle high German, are by turns bawdy, irreverent, and satirical, yet they seek serious answers.
“O Fortuna,” the best-known segment of Orff’s beloved composition opens and closes the work. You will find it familiar as it has been borrowed for a number of film scores. Will Roman goddess of luck and fate be kind? Will she be fickle? Our concerns have not changed much over the years!
A tale of greed, lust, love, madness, fortune, pleasure, and peril; this never-before-seen world premiere double bill crackles with the energy released when new meets old. Set to Orff’s infectiously rhythmic, pulsing music for soloists, double choir, children’s choir, and large orchestra with extra instruments, the thoughts of medieval writers spring once again to vivid life as the wheel of fortune continues in its inexorable turning. Increasingly popular since its debut, Orff’s scenic cantata explores the fickleness of fortune and wealth, the passing nature of life, the joys of Spring, and the pleasures (and perils) of drinking, gluttony, gambling, and lust.
Will fortune smile upon this audacious endeavor, this intersection of old, new, and brand-new? Be on hand when fortune gives Dayton a chance at the wheel!
Links & Tags
The Schuster Center
Dayton Performing Arts Alliance
