HERMITAGE EVENTS FEATURE
NEW OPERA/MUSIC COMPOSER
The Hermitage Artist Retreat invites the public to two musical events this month, featuring Composer David T. Little and his music. Little will talk about his opera work at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, on Wednesday, February 22nd at 10:30 am. Then on Sunday, February 26th, David Little’s music will be played by ensemblenewSRQ in the Hermitage Palm House, 6630 Manasota Key Road, Englewood from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Little will also be there to talk about his music and answer questions. The Opera House event is free and open to the public. There is a $10 charge for the concert which may be purchased through the ensemblenewSRQ website, www.ensemblenewsrq.org
“These are two very different arts experiences featuring the same composer,” remarked Executive Director Bruce E. Rodgers. “Learning all about David Little’s extraordinary opera career on Wednesday and then hearing his music played live in our Palm House on Sunday by the amazing musicians from ensemblenewSRQ, who are also members of the Sarasota Orchestra, promises to be terrific.”
David T. Little has been called “one of the most imaginative young composers” on the scene” by The New Yorker and as someone with “a knack for overturning musical conventions” by The New York Times. His operas JFK (Fort Worth Opera), Dog Days (Peak Performances/Beth Morrison Projects), and Soldier Songs (Prototype Festival) have been widely acclaimed, “proving,” said The New York Times, “beyond any doubt that opera has both a relevant present and a bright future.” Recent/upcoming works include Ghostlight—ritual for The Kennedy Center, AGENCY (Kronos Quartet), CHARM (Baltimore Symphony/Marin Alsop), a new opera commissioned by the MET Opera/Lincoln Center Theater new works program, and the music-theatre work Artaud in the Black Lodge with Outrider legend Anne Waldman for Beth Morrison Projects. His music has been heard at Carnegie Hall, LA Opera, the Park Avenue Armory, the Bang On A Can Marathon, and elsewhere. Educated at University of Michigan and Princeton, Little is co-founder of the annual New Music Bake Sale, has served as Executive Director of Music At The Anthology (MATA), serves on the Composition Faculty at Mannes-The New School and Shenandoah Conservatory, and is Composer-in-Residence with Opera Philadelphia and Music-Theatre Group.
“Wherever your musical interests lie, be it opera, orchestral or new music, these two amazing programs will surely leave you wanting more,” continued Rodgers. “We hope you will join us.”
The Hermitage is a not-for-profit artist retreat located at 6660 Manasota Key Road in Englewood, FL. It invites accomplished painters, sculptors, writers, playwrights, poets, composers and other artists from all over the world for residencies on its beachfront historic campus. Artists are asked to interact with the community during their stay and as a result, Hermitage artists touch thousands of Gulf Coast community residents with unique and inspiring programs each year. Hermitage community programs are partially sponsored by Philanthropist Gerri Aaron, the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs and the Woman’s Exchange. In addition, the Hermitage awards and administers the prestigious Greenfield Prize, an annual $30,000 commission for a new work of art, rotating among visual art, music and drama. The Hermitage also partners with the Aspen Music Festival and School to award the annual Hermitage Prize to a composition student during the Festival. For more information about The Hermitage Artist Retreat, call 941-475-2098, ext. 5, or visit the website at www.HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
