Completed Stage WorksCantata for the Asylum Seeker
Synopsis
In a declamatory style that is fitting of a cantata and the nightly news, a newscaster (tenor soloist) proclaims the ongoing issues of the migrant crisis. The recitative for each movement conveys a step in the process for migration to America under the asylum system. These are paired with choruses and solos, vignettes of the people who are making the journey to seek safety in America. 1 hour in length Music by Kristian Rodriguez |
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The Beneficiary
Synopsis
Ellis is on the phone with her girlfriend Akeema, discussing the success of her mother’s recent visit. She has been estranged from her mother since coming out to her. The next call she receives is from her sister, Nora, with some unexpected news.
10 minutes in length
Music by Charles Zoll
Ellis is on the phone with her girlfriend Akeema, discussing the success of her mother’s recent visit. She has been estranged from her mother since coming out to her. The next call she receives is from her sister, Nora, with some unexpected news.
10 minutes in length
Music by Charles Zoll
| the_beneficiary_sample_.pdf |
La Vista
Synopsis
Based in Southern California during the boom years of the 1880's, Pascualita suffers from sleep paralysis, a condition where she awakens at night and is unable to speak or move. Owen is a sleepwalker and suffers from night terrors. The two are psychically connected and communicate in their impaired states, each thinking that they are being haunted by the other. Their inevitable meeting will reveal the truth about their reality.
Opera in 3 acts
Based in Southern California during the boom years of the 1880's, Pascualita suffers from sleep paralysis, a condition where she awakens at night and is unable to speak or move. Owen is a sleepwalker and suffers from night terrors. The two are psychically connected and communicate in their impaired states, each thinking that they are being haunted by the other. Their inevitable meeting will reveal the truth about their reality.
Opera in 3 acts
Poetry for Art Song
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Come Again: Poems Based on Recurring Dreams
Come Again: Poems Based on Recurring Dreams is a new set of poems intended to be set as a song cycle for singer and piano. Each poem in the cycle is based on actual recurring dreams and examines the unusual nature of this phenomenon.
Cycle of 8 poems
Cycle of 8 poems
| come_again_sample.pdf |
Speak, But Don't Speak: Diminished Women
The concept for this A Capella piece is based on the times that we have felt discounted as women, whether it be emotionally, mentally, or physically. The prologue sets up the idea of the value of asserting our views, but only if we are being listened to. The refrain throughout the piece reminds us we are often encouraged to speak out, but easily silenced. The epilogue concludes that these attempts to silence us don’t go unnoticed.
7 minutes in length
Premiere 3/4/2021
Written in collaboration with the Arizona Women's Collaborative.
7 minutes in length
Premiere 3/4/2021
Written in collaboration with the Arizona Women's Collaborative.
Collaborations
Sandra is currently collaborating with composer Laura Jobin-Acosta, a recipient of the Opera America IDEA Residency, for a piece that will have its premiere workshop at Opera America in Fall 2021.
Photo used under Creative Commons from Alex Lehner
