Image via WikipediaWith the semester coming to a close at Murray State, and my family soon relocating farther west, I am finding increased solace in writing the opera libretto for Libertaria: The Virtual Opera. I have written hundreds of lines of poetry and lyrics in my life, but writing an opera libretto is an entirely different animal. Characters need to be fleshed out and as multidimensional an opera can allow. The story should flow logically, at least in my mind. Lyrics need to be purposeful and true. None of that "I love you, and I'm blue, dooby-doo" silliness. There must be drama, and realistic places (set in the future?). Since the opera will be animated, camera actions and transitions are also incorporated. The cast grows from a handful to two dozen interesting characters populating this bizarre science fiction tale. I hope the tale is original, as it weaves a complicated web about mother-daughter relationships against a backdrop of pharmaceutical frenzy. Is the opera about drugs? About war? About greed? About jealousy and revenge? Yes, but Libertaria: The Virtual Opera is also about love, forgiveness, and hope.
As I flesh out the ideas floating in my head and filling my recycled sketchbook, I am amazed with how simply typing up the libretto, scene by scene, has brought the fuzzy haze of an operatic tale into reality. I still have many scenes to write, many plot twists to turn, and many characters to bring to life, but the process is such an amazingly rewarding one.
I may never compose the same again!
Comments