Gertrude Stein and composer Virgil Thomson joined forces in 1947 to create "The Mother of Us All," a retelling of 19th-century American social and political experience as musical pageant. The New York Times has called the rarely performed opera "a charmingly pungent masterpiece whose full value has probably yet to be realized." Hudson Hall, in partnership with the Millay Colony for the Arts, presents the opera this month, in a site-specific production by cutting-edge opera director R. B. Schlather. "I conceived of this production as a response to the history of the site. I wanted 'locals' to make up the band and the cast so that the performance is perceived not as a history piece, but as an accessible, diverse social happening about our shared contemporary 'now' in the Hudson Valley." Mezzo-soprano Michaela Martens stars as Susan B. Anthony. Performances are November 11, 12, 15, 18, and 19 at Hudson Hall. (518) 822-1438; Hudsonhall.org.
The Mother of Us All Promo 1 from Hudson Hall on Vimeo.
