American contemporary composers must wage constant battles–battles for recognition, for work, and for performances 
of their work. Occasionally, though, the planets align for both composer and audience as they are doing with the UT School of Music’s DELINGERFEST, performances and activities centered around the work of composer Larry Delinger. That series of events begins tonight, October 24, and runs through November 16.
The centerpiece of DELINGERFEST is the world premiere by UT Opera Theatre of the composer’s opera Medea at Relix Variety Theatre Novermber 7-9. Marble City Opera will also perform two of Delinger’s chamber operas at the Square Room: Thursday, October 30 and Saturday, November 1, Talk to Me like the Rain and Amelia Lost.
Tonight’s free program at 8 p.m. in the Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall (Haslam Music Center on the UT Campus) features an array of Delinger’s music and work performed by an array of UT School of Music faculty, guests, and students. Included in this group are Kevin Class (Artistic Director of DELINGERFEST), Bernadette Lo, Emi Kagawa, the UT Contemporary Music Ensemble, Melanie Burbules, Eileen Downey, Cathy Leach, Jeffrey Pappas, and Alexandria Shiner.
Other DELINGERFEST events:
Monday, October 27, 2014. 7:00pm “Talk to me like the Composer.”
Conversation with composer Larry Delinger about writing for the theatre and the composition of three operas: Talk to me like the Rain, Amelia Lost and Medea. Will include brief musical previews by UT Opera Theatre and Marble City Opera.
Emporium Gallery, 100 S. Gay St., in downtown Knoxville, FREE
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Thursday, October 30/Saturday, November 1, 2014: Talk to Me like the Rain/Amelia Lost.
Marble City Opera presents two chamber operas by Larry Delinger.
October 30th, 8:00pm
November 1st, 2:00pm
The Square Room, 4 Market Square, downtown Knoxville, $
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Tuesday, November 4, 2014 8:00pm:
UT Wind Ensemble. Concert will include a performance of Delinger’s Paradox for Brass Ensemble.
University of Tennessee – Knoxville. Cox Auditorium, Alumni Memorial Building, 1408 Middle Dr.
FREE
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Friday-Sunday, November 7-9:
University of Tennessee Opera Theatre presents the World Premiere of Larry Delinger’s Medea.
John Sipes, Director. Kevin Class, Conductor.
8:00pm. Friday and Saturday evening
2:30pm. Saturday and Sunday matinee
A question-and-answer session with the composer, director and conductor will follow each performance.
Relix Variety Theatre, 1208 N. Central St.; $
For ticket information visit www.music.utk.edu/opera
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Sunday, November 16, 2014 4:00pm:
UT Chamber Orchestra and Contemporary Music Ensemble. Program includes Delinger’s Traces for String Orchestra and Elegy for John Lennon, for Trumpet and Strings. Kevin Class, conductor, Cathy Leach, trumpet soloist.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Haslam Music Center, FREE
