Latest news with #GlimmerglassFestival
Refinery29
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Sandra Cisneros' The House on Mango Street Went From the Banned-Books List to the Opera
Sandra Cisneros, one of America's greatest writers, says that up until a few years ago, she was over speaking about her 1984 novel, ' The House on Mango Street.' What started as an autobiographical book that she says she wrote during the 'most powerless time' in her life became a work of fiction as Cisneros drew on the harsh realities her students experienced living their lives outside of her classroom across working-class neighborhoods in Chicago. Countless people saw themselves in Esperanza, the book's Latina protagonist, and her Chicago neighbors, making 'The House on Mango Street' a huge success with more than 7 million copies sold, translated to over 25 languages, and becoming a longstanding fixture on required-reading lists — as well as banned-book lists — in U.S. grade schools and universities. As Cisneros published other books and still works on new ones, she never expected 'The House on Mango Street' to have the long life it has had. 'I was kind of tired of talking about my first born. I'm proud of it, but it's not my favorite book,' Cisneros tells Refinery29 Somos. But her classic novel gained a new life when Grammy-nominated composer Derek Bermel approached Cisneros nearly 10 years ago with the idea to collaborate on turning 'The House on Mango Street' into an opera. Excitedly, Cisneros accepted. Together, they co-wrote a libretto — the script of an opera — and brought the characters to life for the first time through songs, orchestral arrangements, and scenes on a stage. On Friday, July 18, the operatic debut of 'The House on Mango Street' drew nearly 1,000 people from across the country and outside the U.S. for its world premiere at Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, New York. 'I had so much fun with this collaboration, and I feel grateful that the book is doing its spirit work and not just in Latino communities. I get letters from people across the globe. It's very shocking, energizing, and confirming,' Cisneros shares. 'I don't know if it will do its spirit work after I'm gone, in 100 years, or 10 years, or 20 years, but it's doing the work it needs to do at this time in history, and I'm very happy that the work is speaking to people whose lives are like the protagonists and who feel it gives them hope. That's what we need to do in times that are dark.' ' "I was a little worried about this opera coming out at this time with this administration, but I believe, and have to trust, that it's opening at the right time." Sandra Cisneros ' Against the backdrop of today's conversations around mass deportations, the continued hypersexualization of Latinas, and the gentrification of Black and brown neighborhoods, among many other topics covered in the book, the opera manages to make the script relevant while still drawing many of its lines directly from the novel. 'We had no idea when we were putting this together how contemporary it was going to be. So last night, as I watched it with the audience, it was chilling,' Cisneros says. 'I was a little worried about this opera coming out at this time with this administration, but I believe, and have to trust, that it's opening at the right time.' While walking the lush, green outdoor grounds of Glimmerglass Festival, I found myself among a crowd of mostly older, mostly white festivalgoers — that is, until I overheard a woman speaking Spanish. Looking to connect with other Latinas, I approached her. Samantha Alvarez greeted me with a smile and told me she's from Pilsen, Chicago, just like Cisneros, She said the inspiration she felt from feeling represented by 'The House on Mango Street' as a kid opened up a world of possibilities and empowered her to start a travel community and podcast called Hood Girls Travel Too. 'If Sandra, a hood girl like me, was creating such an impact in the world with her writing, maybe I could be someone, too,' Alvarez says. ' "If Sandra, a hood girl like me, was creating such an impact in the world with her writing, maybe I could be someone, too." Samantha Alvarez ' Alvarez invited me to sit with her. Before I knew it, I was sitting with 12 other women who are part of Rise & Thrive Latinas, a Chicago-based book club-turned-community for Latinas. The women carpooled together, driving nearly 800 miles from Chicago to Central New York to see the opera. 'For most of us, 'The House on Mango Street' was one of the first times we saw ourselves in a book, especially growing up in Chicago. And there we sat, watching the book that gave us life come to life as an opera — a medium not many of us are familiar with. But this time we were part of the inside jokes, we understood the references, we understood the dynamics Esperanza was experiencing. This time we were not the outsiders, we were home,' shares Rise & Thrive Latinas founder Stephanie Gomez. This, Cisneros says, was exactly her goal: to introduce her characters to a new audience and introduce a new audience to opera. 'The fact that they all drove, these women from different walks of life, all of them in a caravan to come here was so moving to me. And they don't even know each other, except through this Latina book club, and their enthusiasm and their willingness to embrace each other and the story was so gratifying for me, was just thrilling,' Cisneros shares. 'There was even a woman who came from Los Angeles and she wasn't part of the book club, but they grabbed her and said, 'Come on, come with us.' This is what I want to see, an opera where the audience includes my community, including the diversity of faces and people on the stage. That was just beyond my dreams.' ' "The incredible thing about this book is that it's both specific and universal, that almost anybody can see themselves in these characters. Older people, younger people, people of all different races and ethnic origins find themself in the story of their family and their neighborhood in that book." Derek Bermel ' I watched the opera on the edge of my seat, shimmying to the tunes and tearing up at the drama. Derek Bermel, the composer of the opera, created a new layer of depth for the 'Mango Street' characters by infusing the sounds of música norteña, rancheras, merengue, salsa, and hip-hop — all genres that would play in the Chicago neighborhoods in 'The House on Mango Street.' Having grown up in New York City in the 1990s and 2000, I also felt at home. 'The incredible thing about this book is that it's both specific and universal, that almost anybody can see themselves in these characters. Older people, younger people, people of all different races and ethnic origins find themself in the story of their family and their neighborhood in that book,' Bermel says. Bermel and Cisneros worked closely on the songs to ensure they would reflect the characters' origins and personalities. One of those characters is Lucy, one of Esperanza's first real friends when she moves to the neighborhood and whose Mexican-American Spanglish is sprinkled throughout the Tejano-style music in her scenes. ' "It made me feel so connected to my ancestors and the sacrifices that so many generations before us had made." ' 'To be a Latina in this Latina-driven story, in a Latina-written opera, felt like such a privilege and honor when I was cast in the role. I based her off on myself and my experiences growing up in Caracas,' says Samantha Sosa, who plays Lucy. 'It made me feel so connected to my ancestors and the sacrifices that so many generations before us had made. It felt like such an honor to be doing the show, and then when we all did our bows, personally, when I took my bow, I felt like I was taking it for more than just myself, I took it for a community of living people and a community of people that came before all of us in the audience and on stage.' Much like Cisneros shared that her journey out of Chicago to Iowa for her master's degree provided some relief and fresh perspective after years of living in the city, I felt a wave of comfort wash over me while taking a break from New York City and enjoying my time around Cooperstown. I was relieved to get fresh air, look out to the foothills of the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains, and feel the breeze off the Otsego Lake. I stayed at The Landmark Inn, a historic 1856 mansion that was the most relaxing place to rest between visiting Cooperstown's main attractions just minutes away. I found a plethora of cultural connections, from visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame's '¡ Viva Baseball!" exhibit on Latin American baseball traditions — which featured my family's Dominican hometown team Las Aguilas as well as a literal nod to my favorite Venezuelan Mets player Francisco Alvarez by way of a bobble head in the gift shop — to viewing American folk art at the Fenimore Art Museum and walking through the historic village at the Fenimore Farm. I strolled through the Cooperstown Farmers Market, tasted locally made food like chocolates by Madrileña Sonia Sola of Nectar Hills Farm, and sourced the cutest rainbow striped wristlet handmade by Brazilian artist Lucia Emiko. On my final day in Cooperstown, Cisneros and I met at Clausen Lodge and we both admired the view of rolling green hills. We sat on the porch the morning after her opera's premiere and, as we closed our discussion, Cisneros shared why she felt spiritually moved to center her book's vignettes about migration and the threat of deportation in the opera. ' "The story of immigration is the great American story, and I feel that people who don't feel love toward immigrants [suffer from] arrested development." sandra Cisneros ' 'If we don't tell our stories, it will be like it never happened. The story that I was privy to while writing 'The House on Mango Street' is one of great American values. The story of immigration is the great American story, and I feel that people who don't feel love toward immigrants [suffer from] arrested development,' Cisneros says. 'Everybody is on a spiritual path, and if you can't open your heart to love, and you are enclosed with anger, resentment, and revenge, it's because you're not developed as a human being. Politicians that are in positions of power right now are spiritually immature. They haven't come into a place where they can see others who are unlike them with love.' Before parting, Cisneros shared her advice on how to protect our hearts and minds during these politically strife times. 'I think that it's going to be very important that we retreat into connecting with our ancestors and our cultural beliefs, with art, which is our medicine, and with community. Our community is going to be our strength. Who's going to love us, if not us?' Cisneros says. 'We have to go back to our raíces, connect with our ancestors and with our culture. That's the gift that we can give to el mundo: our spiritual generosity, our spiritual vision, our spiritual love.'
Washington Post
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
At WNO, ‘Porgy and Bess' wins the heart by sticking to the script
Awash in the hard light of a summer afternoon in South Carolina, the opening scene of Washington National Opera's 'Porgy and Bess' bears the muted sepia glow of an old photograph — one that springs to life once the curtain goes up. It's a moment of stillness that conveys much about director Francesca Zambello's vision for George Gershwin's enduring 1935 'folk opera,' one she first realized in 2005 at the Glimmerglass Festival. Free of conceptual frills and narrative alterations (apart from a slight bump of the setting from the 1920s to the '40s), this is a revival that takes the reviving part seriously.
New York Times
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
In Upstate New York, Where Even the Opera Is Locavore
The director R.B. Schlather gathered the cast of Handel's 'Giulio Cesare' for a quick pep talk before running through the opera last weekend. Not all the costumes were ready, and not everyone in the orchestra could be there, but they were about to see whether the show they had been rehearsing for several weeks even worked. 'You're getting to go through this thing for the first time,' Schlather told them, speaking also to the creative team and crew of his new 'Cesare' production, which opens at Hudson Hall in Hudson, N.Y., on Saturday. 'Don't worry. I encourage you today to just go for it.' There was a bit of applause from the balcony: The rehearsal was open to the public, and some locals had shown up to get a taste of the work in progress. Staff of the production and hall left their perches to say hello to people they knew, some of whom were just passing through with their to-go coffees, shopping bags and dogs. Boundaries between artists and audiences aren't always so porous, but in Hudson, locals are as represented onstage as off. Partly out of necessity, but also because of Schlather's ethos, opera here is something more like community theater, executed at the level of a major company. Some of the 'Cesare' performers are commuting from a residency at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park nearby; others are just driving in from their houses. When they come together, it's in a luxurious way that would be unimaginable 120 miles south in New York City. The artists have more freedom and, crucially, more time. 'At Hudson Hall, it's about community,' said the bass-baritone Douglas Ray Williams, who lives in the Berkshires. 'It's about who lives around the corner and is fabulous at hair, or can help manage our wardrobe, or even sing a role in the opera.' This 'Cesare' is Schlather's third production at Hudson Hall since the building reopened in 2017 after an extensive restoration. He has an international career, but the opera culture that he is developing there is different. And, the costume designer and his longtime colleague Terese Wadden said, it may be a product of his upbringing in Cooperstown, N.Y., home of the Glimmerglass Festival, which is similarly remote and scrappy, yet also a destination with a global reach. Places like Glimmerglass, where Schlather did some of his earliest work, show that 'if you want to find a creative space, it doesn't necessarily need to be in Manhattan or Brooklyn,' Wadden said. 'It's where you are,' she added. Schlather, though, happens to be in Hudson, where art and wealth have slowly migrated from New York City for years. He and his husband, the choreographer Adam H. Weinert, have lived there since 2014. Not long after moving in, they introduced themselves to Tambra Dillon, Hudson Hall's executive director. At the time, Schlather was directing Handel's 'Orlando' at the Whitebox Art Center in Manhattan, a kind of art installation approach to opera in which the rehearsals were open to the public and broadcast. Schlather invited Dillon to see the show, then they began discussing what they could produce together. They found a grant program for projects related to the centennial for women's suffrage and decided to stage Virgil Thomson and Gertrude Stein's 'The Mother of Us All.' That opera's hero is Susan B. Anthony, who spoke at Hudson Hall multiple times. 'We just went for it,' Dillon recalled, 'but the only way we could afford to do it is if we cast it from the community.' Fortunately, the mezzo-soprano Michaela Martens lived nearby. Schlather took her out to lunch to explain his vision for his immersive production. She was skeptical, worried that it wouldn't sell, but said yes. Landing a singer like Martens, Schlather said, made him think about how the Hudson area 'is such a hub, there's so much talent.' His production, which opened in 2017, ended up selling out its run and opening the door for more shows. But, because Hudson Hall is not an opera company, any new productions that Schlather came up with would have to be built from the ground up again. It took a long time, and waiting out a pandemic, for his next project to come to fruition: Handel's 'Rodelinda,' in fall 2023. To make it happen, Schlather drew from his network of artists and the local community. By then, more friends had moved to to the area, like Wadden, or were considering a move. When it was time to take press photos for 'Rodelinda,' the production still hadn't found candelabra for the set, and stores were closed. But someone from an auction house up the street showed up at the last minute with three different pairs to choose from, and a woman who lived around the corner brought in a box of white taper candles. 'Rodelinda' was a critical and commercial success, and, in a clever move, Schlather told journalists that it was just the first in a series of Handel operas at Hudson Hall. That was news to Dillon, but her response was: 'Amazing. God willing, it will be.' Now, Schlather and Hudson Hall have a rhythm in place: a new Handel production every 18 months. (Next is the rarity 'Deidamia.') Hudson may not seem like a natural destination for Handel operas, but Schlather is a natural to make it one. Williams, a star of 'Rodelinda' who is singing again in 'Cesare,' said that Schlather 'absolutely believes in Handel as a dramatist.' 'I've worked with other opera directors who think that Handel needs to be fixed or needs to be sexed up, or the audience is going to be bored,' he added. 'But R.B. totally believes that Handel is exciting as is.' Schlather's 'Rodelinda' had the expressive detail typically reserved for spoken theater. But in Hudson Hall, his productions are made in the auditorium, on the set, with the instrumentalists. At most opera houses, rehearsals are in multiple spaces, with each element siloed until the final days before opening. The Handel productions have also benefited from their de facto resident orchestra, the period ensemble Ruckus, which performs opera with the spirit of a band from a music hall or dance party. 'This is really opera as chamber music,' said the bassoonist Clay Zeller-Townson, the group's founder and artistic director. 'It feels like all our vectors of music-making can be brought to the table.' In New York, Zeller-Townson said, musicians are more scattered. But in Hudson, 'Cesare' has felt like an intensive residency, which allows the Ruckus players to develop the character of the music alongside the singers from the first day of rehearsal. 'We have to be here the whole time,' he said. 'We need time to experiment and make terrible decisions, then be gently nudged away from the bad ideas and hopefully land on the good ones.' The rehearsal conditions for 'Cesare' are virtually unheard-of in opera, but they were created by Schlather in Hudson to be, as he said, 'ideal.' Because it is not being made by a company, everyone is there because they want to be, he added, 'with commitment, investment and curiosity.' His goal is to make people in Hudson feel the same way about the finished product. Around town, people stop him in restaurants or shops to comment on 'Rodelinda' and ask how 'Cesare' is coming along. During an interview at Cafe Mutton last weekend, the server, who recognized Schlather immediately, asked about the show and checked her work schedule to see when she could come. He swore the moment wasn't staged. 'For me, this is a passion project, a labor of love and a dream come true,' Schlather said afterward. 'So if it gets more people to get their foot in the door and experience the power of opera, that's great. This isn't for everyone, but it can be for anyone.'
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
World Atlas names Bath one of the safest towns for senior living in New York. Here's why.
Bath was recently named one of New York state's 11 safest towns for senior living, according to the World Atlas. Crime rates are low and life operates at a slower pace in Bath and other charming towns located across the state, according to the World Atlas, a website that publishes content about resources surrounding travel and other topics. Bath, the Steuben County seat, and other communities named in the study have dedicated senior housing options and nearby medical centers or hospitals that helped them rank high in the list. Bath Village Mayor Mike Sweet called Bath a 'very safe' place. 'The biggest issue we have are small nuisances from people that are transient coming into the village for one reason or another,' Sweet said. 'We don't have a huge crime rate at all.' Located in New York state's Southern Tier, Bath sits just south of Keuka Lake, surrounded by rich agriculture and family-owned farms. Bath is known to have the longest continuously running county fair in the nation, according to World Atlas. Founded in 1793, the town is also home to First Presbyterian Church, one of eight Tiffany glass sanctuaries in the entire country. According to World Atlas the median house price in Bath is around $230,000, making the town an attractive option for retirees seeking a tranquil yet engaging environment. Here's more on which other towns in the Empire State are safest for senior living - where living "transcends mere tranquility, offering a rejuvenating mix of safety, culture, and community," according to the website. More: Village of Bath hires new police chief. What to know about Donald Lewis. Founded in 1793, this Madison County town is located at the southern end of Cazenovia Lake and has a charming downtown district. It's also home to Cazenovia College and the town is known for its active engagement in historical preservation and the arts. Chittenango Falls State Park is nearby - and boasts a stunning 167-foot waterfall and winding trails and walking paths in the park. The median house price in Cazenovia is approximately $330,000. Often described as "America's hometown," this Otsego County town is known for its small-town charm, lakeside draw and baseball. Cooperstown is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and is somewhat of a pilgrimage for sports fans. The town sits at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains and rests on the shores of Otsego Lake - known as "Glimmerglass." The popular annual Glimmerglass Festival celebrates opera and music in a stunning lakeside venue - and will mark its 50th anniversary in 2025. Cooperstown's historic district has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980 and includes more than 200 properties and buildings, including Doubleday Field, several inns and a still-operating post office. The median house price in Cooperstown hovers around $350,000, according to World Atlas. This Madison County town encompasses a village by the same name. Home to Colgate University, the community is steeped in history and boasts an array of academic and cultural events and is names after an American founding father Alexander Hamilton. The village center features its well-maintained 19th-century architecture filled with eateries, art galleries and vintage boutiques. The town, established in 1795, also has a weekly farmer's market and features the wares of area artists and local produce. The town isn't far from Cazenovia (also on the list) and Chittenango Falls State Park. Hamilton's median house price is approximately $350,000, according to World Atlas. This Lewis County town is in the heart of the Black River Valley - which is between the snowy Tug Hill region and the foothills of the western Adirondacks. Lowville is the county seat and boasts a rich agricultural history - particularly dairy which is celebrated during the town's annual Cream Cheese Festival. Nearby Whetstone Gulf State Park features challenging trails and a scenic 3-mile-long gorge, which is ideal for hiking. The median house price in Lowville is approximately $230,000, according to the World Atlas. This Tioga County town in New York's Southern Tier s known for its historic architecture and vibrant community life, featuring a beautifully preserved (and walkable)19th-century village center that in 2009 was named the "Coolest Small Towns in America" by Budget Travel. Owego has both a town and a village by the same name. Hickories Park, located on the Susquehanna River, features riverside trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, a dog park, camping sites and fishing spots. Each June the village holds its annual Strawberry Festival with live music local artisans and food, block parties and other events. The median house price in Owego is around $150,000, according to the World Atlas. Located in Yates County, at the north end of Keuka Lake, Penn Yan is filled with unique and historic spots, including Birkett Mills, which is Penn Yan's oldest industry, established in 1797. The village has shops and other businesses and some nearby wineries are top-notch. Hike the Keuka Outlet Trail to a waterfall, visit one of the nearby swimming beaches or stop by a sustainable farm in the area. Penn Yan's median house price is approximately $380,000, according to World Atlas. Potsdam is a town celebrated for its educational and cultural contributions, with both Clarkson University and SUNY Potsdam. Founded in 1806, the town's rich history is closely tied to the Gilded Age, and its architecture reflects this period's grandeur. This St Lawrence County town is located at the foothills of the Adirondacks and is home to some lovely parks, including Postwood Park on the waterfront, which has a beach and swimming area. The village, on the banks of the Raquette River, is home to dozens of eateries and specialty shops, galleries and museums. Potsdam's median house price is approximately $160,000. The village of Saranac Lake spans three towns in two counties - Franklin and Essex counties - and is the largest community within the Adirondack park in northern New York. This quaint town is often overshadowed by its more frequented neighbor, Lake Placid, yet it offers an equally captivating charm with far fewer crowds. Winter transforms Saranac Lake into a snowy wonderland, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who can go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking on nearby Dewey Mountain. Local cafes, galleries and shops are aplenty here as well. The median house price in Saranac Lake stands at about $540,000. History is aplenty in this Seneca County town located between the northern end of Seneca and Cayuga lakes. Known as the birthplace of the American women's rights movement, Seneca Falls fully embraces its unique history. Must see stops include the Women's Rights National Historical Park and the Wesleyan Chapel, which held the first women's rights convention in 1848. The town is also home to the Seneca Meadows Wetlands Preserve for nature lovers and charming shops and cafes within its downtown district. Each December, the towns transforms into the fictional Bedford Falls for a weekend festival, as its said that the town inspired the setting featured in the movie "Its a Wonderful Life." The median house price in Seneca Falls is around $210,000. History is aplenty in this Essex County town, located within the Adirondack Park, at the confluence of Lake George and Lake Champlain. Fort Ticonderoga, a key military site of the 18th century, stands as a testament to the town's historical importance. The Hancock House - a replica of founding father John Hancock's mansion - is a museum and headquarters for the Ticonderoga Historical Society. There's also a Star Trek-themed "museum," where fans and past cast members visit recreated sets of the original television show. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the LaChute River Walk, a three mile loop on a public path. The median house price in Ticonderoga is about $260,000. This article originally appeared on The Leader: World Atlas names Bath among 11 safest towns for senior living in NY
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
Vulnerable New York teen reported missing, believed to be upstate
NASSAU COUNTY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A vulnerable Long Island teenager is currently missing. 17-year-old Catherine Berger went missing on Wednesday, February 26 at around 2:35 p.m. She was last seen leaving Baldwin High School in Baldwin, New York. According to her family, they believe she is possibly heading Upstate to an unknown destination. They believe she is in danger as she may be meeting an unknown male. Berger has ADHD and suffers from impulse control issues. She requires medication and supervision. Berger is described as a white female with brown eyes and medium length straight dark hair. She is five feet six inches tall and weighs approximately 110 pounds. She was last seen wearing a camouflage sweater, jeans, and black boots. Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Catherine Berger please call Nassau County Police Department – Missing Persons at (516) 573-7347. Source: Town of Vestal employees were not paid Friday Vulnerable New York teen reported missing, believed to be upstate Town of Maine man pleads guilty to fleeing the scene of a fatal accident, attempted rape Consent award reached to end prison strike across NYS Glimmerglass Festival prepares for 50th season Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
