The opening few minutes of <em>Flash of Recognition</em>, a one-act music theater work (or opera, if you will) about Mike Disfarmer, a maverick photographer in rural Arkansas.

The opera opens with two young men on stage, obviously very intimate.  One is reading from a book of poetry (Whitman's <em>Leaves of Grass</em>) to the other. Unbeknownst to them Mike is watching...

Young Man, baritone: Brian Mextorf
Mike, tenor: Cameron Smith
Speaker: Jeff Caldwell
Piano: Jennifer Peterson

Read more at http://www.edwardficklin.com/flash-of-recognition

Flash of Recognition (Excerpt 1)

The closing of the opera.  The voice of history finally gives us a clue as to Mike's withdrawal from the world and fixation on capturing time in images.

Mike, tenor: Cameron Smith
Young Man, baritone, Brian Mextorf
Speaker: Jeff Caldwell
Piano: Jennifer Peterson

Read more at http://www.edwardficklin.com/flash-of-recognition

(With assistance from the incomparable Almeda Riddle, http://www.folkstreams.net/film,131)

Flash of Recognition (Excerpt 2)

In answer to the question, "What do you fear the most about climate change?" this is what respondents had to say.

Song of the Rain is a year-long media project examining climate change.  As part of the project, interested participants can call a number, listen to a message and respond.  These responses become the sound art you're listening to.  Over time they will be gathered, edited, mixed and composed into an audio installation in New York City.

www.songoftherain.org, Grab a phone and speak your heart...


Song of the Rain: Song One

The second installment in the Song of the Rain project.  Further answers to the questions what do you fear the most about climate change, or, why should we not worry?

Grab a phone and speak YOUR heart: songoftherain.org

Song of the Rain: Song Two

The first (of many?) studies for the sound design of my new opera/music-theater work Flash of Recognition.  On stage, live singers and piano will mix with spoken dialogue and an electronic soundscape meant to capture the strange inner and outer worlds of maverick photographer Mike Disfarmer.

Flash of Recognition - Study 1

Second in a series of who knows how many studies for the chamber opera/music theater work "Flash of Recognition."  The sound design will accompany spoken dialogue and punctuate the more "musical" portions scored for classical voices and piano.

Edward Ficklin