Performance of my micro-opera BECOMING, from No Divide KC's Come As You Are event with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City on June 3, 2023.
Jennifer Weiman, mezzo-soprano
Evan J. Nelson, baritone
Neal Long, piano

Program Note:
To describe my experience living with a degenerative muscle disease, I often use the metaphor of “an intimate relationship with decay.” I feel this describes the emotional complexity and depth, as well as the honesty and compassion I must exercise with my body as it changes. BECOMING actualizes this relationship between the self and decay, portrayed as a conversation between two close friends, Aspen and Aurelius. Together, they discuss intricate truths of life—the simultaneity of growth and deterioration, the constancy of decay amidst change, cyclicality—and draw connections between life and artistic processes to assist in digesting the nature of existence.

BECOMING (2023) LIVE 6-3-23, piano-vocal version

Hot Like Hades (demo)

lyrics:
Your tongue coats your teeth with lies
Tall man, tall tales, tired eyes

I know I'm not hot enough to date but you'll validate me for now and I'll take it
You didn't care enough to wait a sec and contemplate on what the fuck's at stake, but I'll fake it

Your tongue coats your teeth with lies
Tall man, tall tales, tired eyes

Now I know exactly what you're asking:
How the fuck would you find something lasting
that was just as good or better later on?
But it's too much so can you wait?
Cuz I'm like this close to another breakdown
For something unrelated, leaves are fallin, suffocate

Your tongue coats your teeth with lies
Tall man, tall tales, tired eyes
I was your victim to defile
Don't want your noblesse oblige

sorry for overdoing it again

willow

aGa
Breathing in I go back to the island within myself.
aG
There are beautiful trees within the island,
G
there are clear streams of water,
a
there are birds, sunshine and fresh air,
Ga
breathing out I feel safe.
aGa
I enjoy going back to my island.

Source: Poem by Thich Nhat Hanh
Foto: Beifuss

BECOMING (2023) LIVE 6-3-23, piano-vocal version

Gracie Caggiano

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