Uploaded December 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
"An Opera in the Making"
University of Chicago
October 20, 2018
Augusta Read Thomas, University Professor of Composition in the Department of Music.
What exactly goes into composing an opera? From the initial concept to opening night, what does it takes to bring an opera to the stage? This talk discusses the processes of the writer, the composer, and the performing artists in their mission to create a contemporary work in an age-old genre.
Augusta Read Thomas is a Grammy-winning musical composer, who The New Yorker has described as “a true virtuoso composer.” In addition to teaching students at UChicago, she has recent and upcoming musical commissions from such diverse organizations as the Boston Symphony, Utah Symphony, Tanglewood, and the Martha Graham Dance Company. In fact, a 2015 New York Times article states her distinction of having her work performed more during 2013–2014 than any other living ASCAP composer has. Thomas is a University Professor of Composition in the Department of Music.
If you experience any technical difficulties with this video or would like to make an accessibility-related request, please send a message to humanities@uchicago.edu.
"An Opera in the Making"
University of Chicago
October 20, 2018
Augusta Read Thomas, University Professor of Composition in the Department of Music.
What exactly goes into composing an opera? From the initial concept to opening night, what does it takes to bring an opera to the stage? This talk discusses the processes of the writer, the composer, and the performing artists in their mission to create a contemporary work in an age-old genre.
Augusta Read Thomas is a Grammy-winning musical composer, who The New Yorker has described as “a true virtuoso composer.” In addition to teaching students at UChicago, she has recent and upcoming musical commissions from such diverse organizations as the Boston Symphony, Utah Symphony, Tanglewood, and the Martha Graham Dance Company. In fact, a 2015 New York Times article states her distinction of having her work performed more during 2013–2014 than any other living ASCAP composer has. Thomas is a University Professor of Composition in the Department of Music.
If you experience any technical difficulties with this video or would like to make an accessibility-related request, please send a message to humanities@uchicago.edu.
