Samhain Bloom
Music by Edward Shilts
Libretto by Sam Redway

Performed at Guildhall School of Music and Drama's Milton Court Studio Theatre, July 12th 2022

Brighid: Inguna Morozova, soprano
Eris: Lorna McLean, soprano
Kate: Nancy Holt, mezzo-soprano
Paul: Michael Lafferty, baritone
Dahlias: Patrick Dow & Alexandra Pouta, baritone & mezzo-soprano

Chorus:
Louisa Stirland, Faryl Smith, Alexandra Meier, Jack Dolan, Mark Christian Bautista

Samhain Bloom: Scene 3 excerpt

Edward Shilts received their Bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, their Masters in Music Composition from Shenandoah University, and Master of Arts in Opera Making and Writing from Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Shilts' musical style is influenced by their interest in opera, politics, mental health, and gender expression. As an artist, Shilts is interested in creating music that's expressionistic in emotion, but surreal in experience through temporal manipulation and the distortion of sound.

They have participated in festivals including the Walden Creative Musicians Retreat, Charlotte New Music Festival, Hypercube Composition Lab, Longy’s Divergent studio, and Alba Music Festival; their work has been performed by ensembles such as the Mivos Quartet, Hypercube, Loadbang, Arx Duo, and Transient Canvas. In June of 2022, Their chamber opera Samhain Bloom premiered at the Guildhall School, and followed on the heels of their premiere of Le Bistro Poulet by Opera Extra at Shenandoah Conservatory. Most recently, Shilts was also a finalist in Atlanta Opera's 96-Hour Opera Project in June of 2023. Currently, they are enrolled at the University of Miami pursuing a DMA in composition.

Samhain Bloom: Scene 3 excerpt

Edward Shilts - Composer