Opera del Sol’s presentation of Scalia/Ginsburg comes to Central Florida amidst election year, bringing timely and conversation-sparking art revolving around a friendship which hopped the political divide.
People have long been fascinated by the surprising but genuine friendship between Supreme Court Justices, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia. Now they can explore the relationship during an evening at the opera where their comradery and shared love of opera will be on display.
Scalia/Ginsburg Director, David Bracamonte, sat down with Opera del Sol to discuss the importance of a work such as Scalia/Ginsburg in the modern political climate, the ways in which the opera is uniting classical music with a modern audience, and what to expect from an opera with such unexpected and intriguing source material.
David Bracamonte started his performing arts career in high school, taking the often-trod path of participating in choir and theater. He went on to pursue a vocal performance degree in college where he transitioned to an opera-focused career which bled into the start of his professional performance life.
His era of operatic pursuits were closely followed by a period of musical theater-concentrated work including a cruise ship contract and eventually a Disney career. This propelled him onto a path that became largely music theater focused and less opera-centric. In 2016, he had another shift in focus which led him to a career in directing. Bracamonte shares that directing suits him as he “always felt a connection of mentoring people… leading people… pulling things out of people that maybe they wouldn’t have arrived at naturally.”
Bracamonte shares that he always wanted to be a teacher and figured he would end up as a math teacher one day but that he quickly learned music is just “math with a creative scope.” Although Bracamonte’s affinity for the performing arts started as a passion for leadership, he shares that he now holds an ardor “not just for mentoring, but for telling stories and for connecting with audiences, and hopefully changing hearts and changing minds.”
When approached about directing Scalia/Ginsburg, the newness of the opera and the lack of referential material sent Bracamonte on a journey of research and review-reading. Being heavily copyright-protected, the opera was a difficult nut to crack but he became excited about the project after reading Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s personal commendation of the work.
“Ruth Bader Ginsburg is someone that I’ve always really respected, and I think somebody that has been this kind of iconic character in American history, and for women, especially. Even those who are on the other side of a lot of her beliefs…and I think that’s sort of at the heart of this piece. You can disagree with her, or either of these figures, and there’s still humanity in them. And we see that in their friendship, and that is sort of that north star, the central focus.”
Bracamonte continues, “In Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s eulogy for Scalia. She quoted him, and she said that he said to her, “I don’t attack people. I attack ideas.” and I hope that that’s something that we can communicate with this opera… and I hope people in our audience can take that away.”
Regarding his vision for the show, Bracamonte shares that he intends to play with both color and the lack thereof. The setting for the show are the moments immediately following Scalia’s death and Bracamonte plans to warp reality using colorscapes to transport the audience. He hopes to portray the sense that “the color is fading away from the world and… He’s sort of seeing his entire life flash before him.”
Furthermore, Bracamonte hopes to portray the color that Ruth Bader Ginsburg introduced into Antonin Scalia’s life by bringing color back to the show upon her arrival. He promises a light-hearted, warm, and moving show meant for anyone and everyone.
“I don’t want this to feel like you have to be an opera expert, or a judicial law expert or a constitutional law expert to be able to have a great night of theater. So it’s gonna be very funny. It’s going to be very touching, and it’s going to be a very special show.”
However, opera lovers, no need to fret. This opera has it all. Using melodic quotations from the greatest works by Handel and Bizet and everything in between, you are sure to hear some of your favorite operatic songs and themes in addition to the opera’s use of jazz, American, and Gospel stylistic references.
The opera boasts conversational English as one has with a friend which makes it an agreeable option for a first time opera-goer. In addition, the opera’s two hour run time makes it accessible and leaves plenty of time for follow up conversation and critical thought.
When asked about reasons that Scalia/Ginsburg could be a great starter opera, Bracamonte responded:
“I would say there are no rules with this opera. This is the perfect baby’s First opera. It’s so accessible. Like I said, it’s in English, you’re going to understand everything. We’re also using microphones… It’s also kind of the best hits of opera, too, so you can get to enjoy many different styles and get that exposure to some of those iconic opera moments. It’s going to be a night of whimsical fun, but still heart touching with heartfelt moments that are important for people to see in this election year.”
Finally, Bracamonte shared why he is passionate about directing Scalia/Ginsburg in Central Florida at this exact moment.
“I think this story being told in Central Florida right now is also important, and people need to see it. You know, we are in a swing state. Florida is one of the decision makers when it comes to these very big decisions for our country. So I really hope people take that seriously. And I think this opera can kind of get them into the headspace that’s important as we get through this year.”
We hope everyone will join us to explore friendship in the presence of ideological differences and the legacies that Justices Scalia and Ginsburg left behind.
Tickets for Opera del Sol’s production of this groundbreaking new opera by Derrick Wang are now available on the Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts website!
Don’t miss your chance to see the opera that unites us all.
We are different. We are one.
Get your tickets here–> https://bit.ly/ScaliaGinsburgODS
Blog post and interview, Michaela Wright