Opera Philadelphia Names New Composer in Residence

Opera Philadelphia, in collaboration with Music-Theatre Group in New York, is proud to announce that composer Rene Orth, whose music "is whimsical, spikey, sometimes show-bizy, always dramatic, reflective, rarely predictable, and often electronic" (Musical America), has been selected as its sixth Composer in Residence (CIR). Orth was chosen from a national field of applicants for the position and now has the opportunity to follow a personalized development track focused on the advancement of her skills as an operatic composer.

Funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the program fosters tomorrow's American operatic masterpieces through personalized creative development and intensive, hands-on composition opportunities for today's most promising opera composers. The Composer in Residence position combines its individualized plan of study with a living stipend and health benefits.

Of her appointment, Orth said, "I am so incredibly excited for this opportunity. As a composer committed to writing for the stage, I have no doubt that working alongside Opera Philadelphia, Music-Theatre Group, and my fellow Composers in Residence will help me develop into the best opera composer that I can be."

Originally from Dallas, Orth recently completed her studies at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she held the Edward B. Garrigues Fellowship and studied with David Ludwig, Jennifer Higdon, and Richard Danielpour. Her chamber opera, Empty the House, with a libretto by Mark Campbell, received its world premiere with Curtis Opera Theatre in a sold-out run in January 2016. An intimate, poignant exploration of the complex nature of forgiveness, the opera centers on a mother who invites her grown daughter home for a last weekend in a house filled with painful memories, which nearly overwhelm them both. The piece was also selected to be a part of Fort Worth Opera's FRONTIERS showcase in May 2016.

"A natural collaborator, Rene Orth exudes creativity, discovery, and exploration. She has an individual voice that soars but is also playful, whimsical, and sincere," said David B. Devan, General Director and President of Opera Philadelphia. "She writes to move people and knows that there is no better art form than opera to accomplish that lofty goal. I can't wait to see what unfolds in and out of the Composer in Residence program."