Last minute of first act of "Willie Stark" LSU Opera

I'm producing and directing a hi def video of the LSU production of Carlisle Floyd's opera "Willie Stark" based on "All the King's Men" by Robert Penn Warren. This is just a center camera shot using the cam mic. But it should give you an idea of how utterly amazing the LSU opera is and what a great opera will be made available on DVD.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• opera
• lsu
• carlilsle
• floyd
• willie
• stark

[michonnetsu]

bravo for assuring that an American classic will not be forgotten- there was a telecast the year of the premiere- Timothy Nolen, Alan Kays, Jan Curtis, and a wonderful soprano whose name escapes me. Can anyone help, and does anyone have THAT performance on video?

[newportclassic]

Thanks for your comments, I have actually seen that performance, and ..... not to be too proud,  I think ours is better:). The release date of the DVD is May 20th, you can get them at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and many other places on the web. I am going to Baton Rouge for a new release party and will be posting some interviews with the principals. Look for it.

[newportclassic]

Thanks, this was simply the last minute of the first act. It was a 3 camera shoot that was also recorded in Dolby 5.1 sound. BUT...the posting was simply the center camera's footage using the camera's own microphone. We are in the midst of editing the opera and I may post another clip with mixed sound and all three cameras. The DVD of the complete opera will be commercially available in the fall.

Thanks for all the good wishes.

[Evega214]

How great to have Floyd music on here. Was this production amplified?

[newportclassic]

Thanks, and no it was not amplified whatsoever. This is a first class opera company even though, except for the lead, Dennis Jesse, everyone else in the cast is either a undergrad or grad student. The complete production is in the midst of being edited and will be released as a dvd sometime late this year.

[dallaspianostudio]

I was in the premier iof "Willie" directed by Harold Prince/ Houston Grand Opera and worked with Floyd the composer from the ground up to TV production. Floyd and Prince were great.

[jglass54]

I was a dancer/extra in the Washington Opera production of "Willie Stark". During one rehearsal Leonard Bernstein came to watch the production, which was being conducted by John Mauceri, a disciple of Bernstein's. We were only in two scenes, the finale and the party scene where we were rigged with a transmitter and ear piece that played a fox-trot to dance to while the pit orchestra played its music. We later ran and danced across the top of the huge stage-length staircase.

[GFireGirlG]

im sad. some1 msg me on msn. A

[sharky123]

Thank you for sharing this! I'm a long time fan of this work since its premiere and got to see the original production when it came to Washington DC shortly after the Houston prima. Then the telecast which was a prized VHS treasure. I just stumbled upon this here, but with the information provided just ordered the DVD from Amazon - and await its arrival on Tuesday. Thanks again!

[rainforester05]

Hey!! I see my sister! I was there on opening night. Wait to go SARAH!!!