Excerpts from a new opera-ballet (in progress)

Christopher Tin, composer

Kelley Rourke, librettist

Jessica Lang, choreographer

Francesca Zambello, director

INTRODUCTION: THE TIME HAS COME

GEORGIA O’KEEFFE

I have things to say

that have nothing to do

with the “art” I was taught in school.

I have things to say

with color and shape

that can’t be contained in words.

 Last week I climbed Mt. Elliot

while the others drowsed by the campfire.

Alone—at the top—

with the wind, and the stars

and the clouds spread out below,

I held that moment—

Still I hold that moment--

a sight that is mine alone.

The time has come 

to shake off convention to start anew

to strip away all I was taught in school

It’s time to start again

to find what is mine alone

to see the world anew.

The time has come!

MABEL DODGE

Your company is requested

Wednesday evening, six o’clock–sharp–

At 23 Fifth Avenue

the home of Mabel Dodge.

A company of conversationalists

united by a love of progress.

Socialists and suffragists,

anarchists and men of the law

Pacifists and journalists

bringing the news from the front lines of war

clubwomen, clergymen,

poets, photographers,

champions of free love–

and artists.

The time has come

for a new way of saying things

for a new way of seeing things.

MABEL & ALFRED

The time has come

for a new way of saying things

GEORGIA

For a new way of seeing things.

ALFRED

It is time that  we saw photography

as a vehicle for expression

a medium on par with the other fine arts.

All great work is born of love

be it made by hand

or machine.

291 Fifth Avenue

is a gallery for new ideas,

an antidote to convention,

a home for the new man,

a respite for the weary,

an oasis of freedom,
an isle of independence.

MABEL

Your company is requested…

STIEGLITZ

A gallery for new ideas…

MABEL

…at the home of Mabel Dodge.

STIEGLITZ

…curated by Alfred Stieglitz.

MABEL

THIS shall be our laboratory!

STIEGLITZ

Pulsing with red hot blood!

MABLE

Where we crack open life

and release its energy!

STIEGLITZ

A stimulant for the dulled,

a forum for wisdom and folly!

MABEL

Let the tempest sweep me up.

Let me be as a leaf on the wind

hurtling forward, experiencing life!

GEORGIA

The time has come!

The time has come for a new way of seeing things.

GEORGIA, MABEL, STIEGLITZ

The time has come! A new beginning!

GEORGIA

There are things in my head–

STIEGLITZ

There are things you must see–

MABEL

There are things to discover–

STIEGLITZ

I have a message for the world–

MABEL

A vision, fresh and modern–

GEORGIA

We must open our eyes, for now…

MABEL, STIEGLITZ

…it is time…

GEORGIA

…for a new way of seeing things.

PHOTOGRAPHY SCENE

O’KEEFFE  

What shall I do?

STIEGLITZ

Do that again.

O’KEEFFE

What?

STIEGLITZ

Your hand… in your hair…

Simple and honest, so unselfconscious

Solid and flowing

Childlike and knowing

hold--one moment--

hold--right there!

Light and shadow, limbs in motion

as unknowable as the ocean

There! Perfect composition!

As her hands trace curve and hollow

I can feel her rising breath

The hand of a woman, so fine, so alive,

unfurling lines that are hers alone.

Feeling... Life!

Grasping, reaching, ripe with meaning,

Cupping, splaying, tracing patterns,

forms and spaces, strong and shapely–

How I long to fill those spaces!

Now she leads, and now I follow

Gentle gesture, swell and hollow

Subject, artist, no division

All is one transcendent vision.

This moment, so fine, so fleeting

This marriage of form and feeling,

framed and fixed forever.

All great work is born of love.

DESERT BALLET (instrumental)

WHAT DO THEY KNOW OF AMERICA