Arts & Culture

Lincoln Opera to Enjoy World Premiere

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 6, 2009) - The story of Kentucky's Abraham Lincoln, who would go on to become the 16th president of the United States, takes the stage as a new opera this week as the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre presents the world premiere of "River of Time." The opera will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8-10, at the Lexington Opera House.  

"River of Time" is the result of a commission by UK Opera Theatre for a new opera, which would reference not only Lincoln's life in Kentucky, but the future leader's early thoughts about slavery. Hoping to share this story during the bicentennial celebration of Lincoln's birth, Everett McCorvey, producer of the new opera and director of UK Opera Theatre, approached two UK faculty members -- Joseph Baber, composer-in-residence and professor of composition at UK School of Music, and James Rodgers, professor emeritus at UK Department of Theatre -- to create the score and libretto for the opera.

The charge to write an opera of one of the nation's most beloved presidents in two years was momentous, but one that Rodgers and Baber were ready to take.

"The commission was one the most exhausting and exciting challenges of my career," says Rodgers. "I'm grateful to not only write the libretto for 'River of Time,' but to be part of an opera that will receive a full staged production at the Lexington Opera House."

Concentrating on the early life of Lincoln, from childhood to early in his political career, "River of Time" shares insights with its audience on Lincoln's life in Indiana and later New Salem, Ill. Lincoln's complicated relationship with his dad and his resentment of how he was hired out for hard labor would help forge the future president's ambition to create a better life for himself through self-education, as well as shape his thoughts on the serious issues of the time, including slavery.

"Lincoln was an interesting and complicated ordinary man, who became extraordinary," comments Rodgers, whose research included hundreds of books on the life of the 16th president.

Lincoln's ability to become a lawyer through his own studies after only one year of schooling, his physical prowess as a wrestler and log splitter, his ability to engage his peers with jokes and colorful stories, and the first love of his life, gave the librettist lots of material to use in his work.

 

"Writing about Lincoln's early life was exciting, because he accomplished so much from his common beginning," says Rodgers.

 This world premiere of "River of Time" features a strong cast of young artists from UK Opera Theatre, whose mission is to be the best young artist program in the country.  

Excerpts of this well-anticipated opera were presented to audiences celebrating the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth at the two acclaimed performances of "Our Lincoln" held Feb. 10, 2008, at the UK Singletary Center for the Arts, and Feb. 2, 2009, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Kentucky Humanities Council will be on hand at the opera performances with DVDs of the "Our Lincoln" program held at the Kennedy Center. "River of Time" patrons will be able to purchase the DVD for $20 plus tax at the Lexington Opera House. To listen to the story of how "Our Lincoln" was made visit www.ourlincoln.org/ourlincoln_behindthescenes.html.

Tickets for "River of Time" range from $10 to $34 for reserved seating. A processing fee will be added upon purchase. To purchase tickets, contact the Singletary Center Ticket Office at (859) 257-4929 or visit www.singletarytickets.com.