Opera about Maria Mitchell Wins Pellicciotti Composition Prize

Erin Holdgate • November 1, 2022

Nantucket, MA – SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music in New York is proud to announce the winner of the third Domenic J. Pellicciotti Opera Composition Prize, following the recent competition finals.

 

Composer Timothy C. Takach and librettist Caitlin Vincent were selected as the recipients of the 2024 Pellicciotti Prize for their new opera, “Computing Venus.” The opera, still being written, provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of astronomer Maria Mitchell, a ground-breaking historical figure who paved the way for women in STEM in the nineteenth century. The opera follows Mitchell’s efforts to cultivate the next generation of women astronomers, even as growing movements threatened to close the world of science to women forever. 

 

“We are so fortunate that our students have the opportunity to bring Maria Mitchell’s story to life on the stage,” said Dr. William Gibbons, dean of The Crane School. “Timothy C. Takach and Caitlin Vincent are creating a powerful work that speaks to issues women around the world face every day, and collaborating on this world premiere is an experience our students, faculty and community will never forget.”

 

Takach and Vincent will receive a $25,000 commission to complete the new work, which will premiere in Fall 2024, with a full production at The Crane School of Music by the award-winning Crane Opera Ensemble and Orchestra.

 

The Domenic J. Pellicciotti Opera Composition Prize was founded by Dr. Gary C. Jaquay ’67 to honor his life partner, Domenic J. Pellicciotti, an ardent fan of opera. The award seeks to encourage and acknowledge the creation of new opera works that explore themes related to tolerance, inclusion, or the celebration of diversity. The Pellicciotti Prize is awarded every four years.

 

“This competition has been an incredible opportunity for students of the Crane Opera Ensemble to learn, workshop and premiere new works with the composers and librettists in the room to guide them. All the final selections have left a profound impact on our students and community. These composers and librettists have shown that the future of opera is in exceptional hands, and we hope to see all the selections come to life onstage in the future,” said Crane School of Music Assistant Professor Dr. Brock Tjosvold, who directed the finals. “The Crane Opera Ensemble is looking forward to premiering ‘Computing Venus’ in 2024!”

 

Noted American dramaturg Cori Ellison worked with the composers and librettists chosen as finalists, and will continue to collaborate with Takach and Vincent as they complete the opera project.

 

About the Winners:

Inspired by narrative, magical realism, speculative fiction and making better humans through art, the music of Timothy C. Takach has become a mainstay in the concert world. Applauded for his melodic lines, text choices and rich, intriguing harmonies, his compositions are performed worldwide. He is a co-founder of Cantus, Graphite Publishing and Nation, and he is a co-creator of the theatrical production “All is Calm: the Christmas Truce of 1914.” Takach has frequent work as a composer-in-residence, presenter, conductor, clinician and lecturer.

 

Caitlin Vincent is an award-winning librettist known for her nuanced character portraits and compelling treatments of historical subjects. Recent operatic works include “Better Gods” (Washington National Opera), “Uncle Alex” (Washington National Opera), “Tienda” (Schubert Club of Minnesota), and “Nullipara” (Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble). In 2017, Vincent and composer Douglas Buchanan won the Sackler Music Composition Prize for “Bessie and Ma,” an opera about the first female AfricanAmerican aviator and first female governor of Texas. A classically-trained soprano, Vincent graduated from Harvard University and holds a Master of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory and a Ph.D. from Deakin University in Australia. She is currently on faculty at the University of Melbourne.

 

About the Crane Opera Ensemble:

The award-winning Crane Opera Ensemble is a significant source for opera and music theatre in the North Country region of New York State. The ensemble provides exciting opportunities for students to experience all facets of opera performance and production through rehearsals, coaching and classes related to performance practices and production techniques. The ensemble’s productions have garnered awards from the National Opera Association (2019, 2018, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2003), The American Prize (2018, 2011), and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (2010). 

 

About The Crane School of Music:

Founded in 1886, SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music has a long legacy of excellence in music education and performance. Life at Crane includes an incredible array of more than 300 recitals, lectures and concerts presented by faculty, students and guests each year. The Crane School of Music is the State University of New York’s only All-Steinway institution and was one of the first Yamaha Institutions of Excellence. For more information, please visit www.potsdam.edu/crane. For more information about the Pellicciotti Prize, visit www.potsdam.edu/pellicciotti. 

 

About The Maria Mitchell Association:

The Maria Mitchell Association is a private non-profit organization. Founded in 1902, the MMA works to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages.
 


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For Immediate Release

November 1, 2022

Contact: Erin Holdgate, Marketing Director

eholdgate@mariamitchell.org

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