Just Posted to YouTube is Filmed World Premiere of Chamber Opera With Music by Anthony Davis and Libretto by Allan Havis, 'Lear On The 2nd Floor' (1½ hrs)

Anthony Davis

University of California Television

Lear On The 2nd Floor (1:36:23)

Below: Production Still Photography by Jim Carmody

Published on Jun 7, 2013

(Visit: http://www.uctv.tv/) Composed by Anthony Davis with a libretto by playwright Allan Havis, "Lear on the 2nd Floor" is a contemporary take on Shakespeare's "King Lear." It tells the story of Nora Lear, a neuroscience researcher suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's. As Nora loses her bearings and autonomy, she is increasingly at the mercy of her three quarreling daughters. In this version, Nora's dead husband Mortimer is Shakespeare's fool and her constant companion, as she wanders through a world where past and present blend and reality bends. Davis's music incorporates diverse styles and influences, ranging from classical opera to jazz to reggae. [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 25484]

Press Release June 8, 2013

Anthony Davis, renowned for his cutting edge operas, X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X and Amistad has written a new chamber opera, Lear On The 2nd Floor.  

Lear is a new take on Shakespeare's King Lear with the character of Lear as a well known medical community neuroscientist who is met in the beginning stages of Alzheimers and Dementia.

Just posted to YouTube is the  filmed world premiere performance of the new chamber opera by Anthony Davis: Lear On The 2nd Floor   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6JDvmADi_g      Anthony Davis' score is  ingenious in its use of jazz, musical theater, reggae and 20th century art song genres.