Gilberto (in progress)

Music by Nicolas Lell Benavides
Libretto by Marella Martin Koch

Oakland. 1951. The Korean War looms large over the newly drafted young men of America. Gilberto, 21, left New Mexico for California six years ago and has never looked back. Resourceful and charming, he makes a life but not a living teaching dance lessons at Sweet's Ballroom.

Performed by young artists at The Glimmerglass Festival as part of my residency there in 2019.
Also workshopped by West Edge Opera (clips hosted separately)

Conductor: Kamna Gupta
Director: Ellen Jackson
Pianist/coach: Dmitry Glivinskiy

Principal:
Gilberto, baritone (Schyler Vargas)
Elena, soprano (Ariana Wehr)
Campbell, tenor (Camron Gray)

Supporting:
Alysse, soprano (Tanyaradzwa Tawengwa)
Linda, mezzo-soprano (Kayla Siembieda)
Barkeep, mezzo-soprano (Lindsay Metzger)
Ricardo, tenor (Christian Sanders)
Guapo, baritone (Nicholas Davis)
Commander/Secretary of State, bass (Wm Clay Thompson)

Dancers:

Jorrell Lawyer-Jefferson (choreographer)
Jasmine Harris
Danielle Jackman
Spencer Britten

photo credits: Karli Cadel

West Edge Opera excerpts (visit their Vimeo for more clips)

Featuring chamber ensemble instrumentation.

West Edge Opera / Earplay Snapshot Festival 2020
Conductor: Jonathan Khuner