Resonance Works, part of the Decameron Opera Coalition, the national alliance of independent opera companies, is together again with a digital video songbook for the holiday season.
DOC the Halls includes eight world premiere songs from creators and performers from across the country, exploring the season – its holidays, quirks, and beauty. All framed by the antics of a comic quartet of carolers in “A Christmas Carol (& Bob & Ted & Alice)” by DOC co-creators Peter Hilliard and Matt Boresi.
With a mix of themes and perspectives, the songs of DOC the Halls take a varied look at this special time of year in pieces commissioned by the coalition member companies:
Bare Opera celebrates their city with a new setting of Langston Hughes’s “Christmas Eve: Nearing Midnight in New York” by composer Thomas Cabaniss.
UrbanArias’ “Holiday Ex-Lover” takes a look at the dudes we’ve dated (and dumped) in December in a team-up with “electric opera queens” Britt Olsen-Ecker and Melissa Wimbish of the band Outcalls.
Lyric Opera of the North celebrates an important time in Duluth with “Little Spirit Moon at Solstice” by composer Daniel Nass and librettist Linda LeGarde Grover.
The universal theme of light amidst the darkness is further explored in Resonance Works’ “Rededication” by composer Nancy Galbraith and librettist Sara Stock Mayo.
Milwaukee Opera Theatre‘s “The Meaning of Christmas” by Adam Qutaishat takes a look at all of the history, traditions, stories, and carols of Christmas from around the world and throughout the years…in about five minutes, as a woman prepares to introduce her partner to her family.
A grandfather cherishes memories of holidays with his granddaughter in Opera in the Heights‘ “Carta de Inés” by composer Alejandro Basulto and librettist Bruno Rios.
Separation and togetherness are reflected upon in “Come Home” by composer Matthew Recio and Librettist Jenna Lanzaro, produced by Chicago Fringe Opera.
Fargo-Moorhead Opera‘s “A Perfect Gift” by composer Michael Ching and librettist Reg Huston considers how each child is a perfect gift to the world.
The hour-long video songbook is available on the AÏRIS video streaming platform and as an audio album released through all major music services.
For more information, visit: www.decameronoperacoalition.org/doc-the-halls
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