Glimmerglass Offers a Glimpse into the Art of Making an Opera

BY MONICA CALZOLARICOOPERSTOWN

Friday, July 18 was the world premiere of “The House on Mango Street” at The Glimmerglass Festival. The opera is based on the novel by Sandra Cisneros of the same name, which has sold 8 million copies since 1983.

This was the first novel Cisneros, age 70, ever wrote. More than 100 admirers came to the Pipeline Talk prior to the premiere to meet the author and composer Derek Bermel, with whom Cisneros collaborated to bring her story to life.

Glimmerglass Artistic and General Director Rob Ainsley introduced the author and composer as well as Kelley Rourke, who has worked for The Glimmerglass Festival for more than 14 years as a dramaturg and translator.

A dramaturg is a behind-the-scenes resource for directors, actors, and playwrights, providing context, research, and feedback to help improve the quality or accuracy of a production.

This was Cisneros’ and Bermel’s first opera. Cisneros said she had no idea how much work was involved in preparing a novel for opera.