Is opera a dying art? Maybe, maybe not. If it is, the English National Opera has defibrilator paddles poised and ready. The ENO has started a mini-opera competition, and they’re hoping to rejuvenate opera for a younger generation through an online crowdsourced project.

Scriptwriters, composers, and filmmakers were all welcomed to join the competition. First, writers wrote opera scripts based on a story by either Neil Gaiman, Will Self, or A.L. Kennedy. Then composers (myself included) wrote and recorded music to one of the top ten scripts. Now, filmmakers are making films using the top ten soundtracks.

I’ll spare you the drum roll; unfortunately my opera didn’t make it into the top ten. That means I won’t be able to claim the grand prize of a year mentorship with Nico Muhly, which sounds awesome. But bad news aside, I think my mini-opera turned out to be pretty moving, thanks to help from my talented performer friends and a touching script by Lori Ann Stephens.

“The Lingerer”

Brett Thompson – Lead Vocals
Nicole Wilder – Lead Vocals
Maia Hamann – Bassoon, Flute, Accordion
Eryn Tvete – Backing Vocals, Euphonium
Charlie McCarron – Electric Guitar, Composition, Production
Words by Lori Ann Stephens