Il Sogno was originally written as the Orchestral Music for the ballet "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as choreographed and performed by Aterballeto, an Italian Dance company. It was performing in Orange County about two years ago, and I think maybe two people I know went to see it. It has been recorded with Michael Tilson Thomas conducting and is due out in October around the same time that Elvis and the Imposters'll be releasing the new album as recorded down South in the states. He composed Il Sogno with little dolls on top of the piano for inspiration (so he could visualize what was going on the stage and when). This is all from the top of my head so please correct me if I'm way off base!
I was in attendance for Elvis performing in an Opera as written by one Steve Nieve...a truely surreal experience! After this performance, I remember some ballet company memver approaching Elvis and giving him information, saying that his ballet company would like for him to score something for them sometime. However, I think that it was a New York Ballet company for some reason. I was just standing around waiting for the first time I'd meet Elvis (the photo you see in my avatar). I remember it vaguely, the ballet guy came up wearing a straw hat and a red gingham shirt I think!
I've always wanted Elvis to write a musical, not because I'm into musical theatre (which I am) but because I think that he writes so strongly. His characters, melodies, moods and evocative lyrics are so hefty that he could really bring something special to the stage. The Deliveryman was supposed to be written for the stage, and Elvis was also working on a musical with Neil LaBute directing, but I can't remember if it was the Deliveryman or not. I've been curious ever since hearing these things. It would be a dream to perform in a musical that Elvis has written! I've thought about it often ever since I was in college (and that's been a while
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
).
Oh, and the Opera for the 200th anniversary of Hans Christian Anderson's birthday is something totally new. Denmark is celebrating with a huge festival, a new musical of the Little Mermaid (the original sad tale) and then Elvis will be doing some kind of opera in tribute as well. I can't remember if we've heard his subject or not. There're tons of stories to choose from, aren't there?
Jill