2024 OPERA WRITERS SYMPOSIUM

IN 2021, Over 700 opera creatives and opera lovers from around the globe joined us for the first opera writers symposium. if you missed these incredible sessions, archival video is available BY CLICKING here!

This spring, we are thrilled to present a series of new panel discussions and seminars for opera creatives along with those who are fascinated by the creative process.

Drawing on different facets of ALT’s internationally acclaimed Composer Librettist Development Program, the Opera Writers Symposium was created to provide artists with practical tools for both first-time and experienced creatives with an interest in creating new opera. The panel discussions and seminars also offer artists considering applying to the upcoming cycle of the CLDP a chance to understand ALT’s ethos, to meet faculty and alumni of the program, and to experience, first-hand, a taste of ALT’s approach to artist mentorship, how we develop new works, and how ALT encourages and supports diverse artists to tell their stories through opera.  

Join us from March 11th to May 22nd, and learn more about career pathways for librettists, composers, and dramaturgs in opera; the role of audience and community in developing new works; and how artists can best set up workshops and readings for success. We are incredibly excited to welcome a remarkable group of world-class creatives to join us to share their experiences - and best of all - all of these online sessions are FREE - but advance registration is required!

Panelists include:
Deborah Brevoort, Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, Michael Korie and John de los Santos

This session will explore how artists from different artistic backgrounds - including poets, playwrights, lyricists, and directors came to libretto writing; and the differences, challenges and opportunities in writing for the opera stage from their previous work. The discussion will also include information about resources for both aspiring and established librettists to help advance both their craft, and their professional career goals.

Moderated by ALT’s Founder, Artistic and General Director
Lawrence Edelson

Panelists include:
Christopher Cerrone, Anthony Davis, Jeanine Tesori, and Kamala Sankaram

This session will explore how composers from different artistic backgrounds - including jazz, classical music, and musical theater, came to writing opera; and the differences, challenges and opportunities in writing for the opera stage from their previous work. The discussion will also include information about resources for both aspiring and established opera composers to help advance both their craft, and their professional career goals.

Moderated by ALT’s Associate Artistic Director
Kelly Kuo

Moderated by ALT’s Founder, Artistic and General Director
Lawrence Edelson

Panelists include:
Anne Cattaneo, Cori Ellison, Kate Pitt, and Annie Jin Wang

Dramaturgs are perhaps one of the least understood creatives involved in the development of new opera - but they are truly secret weapons in the creative process! What exactly is a dramaturg, and how do they contribute to the development of new work? What makes being a new works dramaturg in opera different than in other theatrical disciplines? Might you be interested in this fascinating work?

• If you're interested in helping to open up the art of opera to diverse audiences...

• If you're drawn to the nuts and bolts of theatrical storytelling... 

• If you're fascinated by the relationship between words and music...

• If you aspire to work with creative and performing artists...

• If you're open to theatrical music of diverse styles and periods...

• If you love teamwork and helping to find consensus...

This session is for you!

Join us as we explore the art of new works dramaturgy with some of the leading practitioners from the worlds of opera and theater, and learn about resources for aspiring opera dramaturgs - including ALT’s Dramaturg Fellowship as part of the Composer Librettist Development Program.

Moderated by ALT’s Founder, Artistic and General Director
Lawrence Edelson

Join us for a discussion with the one-and-only Liz Lerman, whose Critical Response Process has served as a core component of the work we do at ALT. This conversation, moderated by ALT’s founder Lawrence Edelson, will also include composer Jasmine Arielle Barnes and librettist Stephanie Fleischmann, who will speak to their experiences at ALT and elsewhere in embracing community and audience in the development of their works.