The Decameron Opera Coalition presents
HEROES
Now Streaming
THE OLD STATUES HAVE BEEN PULLED DOWN.
WHAT NEW FIGURES WILL TAKE THEIR PLACE?
As we slowly emerge from a pandemic and an era of toxic politics, holding heightened perspectives on social justice, global citizenship, and environmental concerns - many of yesterday’s icons no longer serve us as we stride into the heart of the 21st century.
The indie companies of the Decameron Opera Coalition return to your favorite small screen with HEROES - seven world premiere opera short films presented in three episodes, all framed by original art songs by Hilliard and Boresi, with special guest Karen Slack.
Our diverse collection of creators explore the meaning of heroism and profile unsung, unconventional, or misunderstood heroes from varying eras and geographies. HEROES looks forward into a new era of innovation in opera and to increasingly enlightened perspectives on who we hold up as role models and why. Some of the subjects include Hazel Johnson, the “Mother of Environmental Activism”, a Pay-What-You-Can Cafe in an urban food desert, and even the everyday heroes in and around all of our lives.
Resonance Works’ chapter:
Letter to Our Children
In HEROES Episode 1: Answering the Call
A World Premiere by
Justine F. Chen, Composer
Jacqueline Goldfinger, Librettist
Christopher Ash, Director & Cinematographer
Featuring:
Laurel Semerdjian, mezzo-soprano
Some heroes wear a cape and mask, some write legislation or carry a protest sign, some appear when needed and disappear when the work is done. LETTER TO OUR CHILDREN recognizes those people whose names may never be mentioned in history books, but who make the world go round.
Artists
Laurel Semerdjian, mezzo-soprano
Violin 1: Sandro Leal-Santiesteban
Violin 2: Maureen Conlon-Gutierrez
Viola: Si Yu
Cello 1: Ryan Ash
Cello 2: Will Teegarden
Harp: Nuiko Wadden
Creative & Production Team
Music by Justine F. Chen
Libretto by Jacqueline Goldfinger
Director & Cinematographer: Christopher Ash
Assistant Director & Camera-Op: Mary Tuomanen
Recording Engineer: Kristian Tchetchko
Conductor & Producer: Maria Sensi Sellner
Creators in Conversation
The DOC’s Matt Boresi chats with the team about the creation of “Letter to Our Children”: composer Justine F. Chen, librettist Jacqueline Goldfinger, mezzo-soprano Laurel Semerdjian, director/cinematographer Christopher Ash, assistant director Mary Tuomanen, and Resonance Works Artistic & General Director Maria Sensi Sellner.