Project Grant ZPP28432022

OPERA LAFAYETTE, DU MONDE: EXPLORING OPERA AT THE INTERSECTION OF EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY COLONIALISM AND INDEPENDENCE [OPERA LAFAYETTE HAS DEVELOPED A NETWORK OF LEADING SCHOLARS AND ARTIST-SCHOLARS AT THE HEART OF THE EARLY MUSIC MOVEMENT TO CONVEY THE CULTURAL HISTORY OF THESE WORKS IN ACCESSIBLE, PUBLIC HUMANITIES-ORIENTED FORUMS. OUR 2021-2022 PRODUCTIONS WILL BE ILLUMINED BY AN ARRAY OF SYMPOSIA, SCHOLARLY PANELS, PRE- AND POST-PERFORMANCE LECTURES, EXPERTLY RESEARCHED PROGRAM MATERIALS, AND AN ONGOING DOCUMENTARY FILM PROJECT.] [PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT IS TO SUPPORT THE RECOVERY AND REPRODUCTION OF THREE 18TH CENTURY FRENCH OPERAS AT OPERA LAFAYETTE IN WASHINGTON D.C. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: OL WILL CREATE PROGRAMMING TO ENCOURAGE HUMANISTIC INTERPRETATION OF EARLY MUSIC THROUGH LECTURE VIDEOS, SCHOLARLY LEARNING GUIDES, AND MODERATED DISCUSSION FORUMS EMPHASIZING MUSICOLOGY AND SOCIAL AND POLITICAL HISTORY. OL WILL ALSO CREATE ADVANCED-LEVEL SYMPOSIA AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AROUND CONTEMPORARY AND HISTORICAL LAND RIGHTS AND WATER ISSUES (SILVAIN), ROYAL PATRONAGE AND THE POLITICS OF THE FRENCH ENLIGHTENMENT (MARIE ANTOINETTE), AND THE COMPLEX HISTORY OF MUSIC IN THE FRENCH CARIBBEAN (KOUROU). THEY ALSO PLAN TO PRODUCE A SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILM ON LEONORE/FIDELIO AND L'AMOUR CONJUGAL. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: OL'S PROPOSED ACTIVITIES WILL PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR AUDIENCES TO REEXAMINE HISTORICAL PIECES ALONGSIDE CONTEMPORARY ISSUES. OL WILL RETAIN THREE POSITIONS AND CREATE 12 NEW CONTRACTOR POSITIONS TO CREATE THE INTERPRETIVE AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR THE PIECES. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: NATIONAL AUDIENCES AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND NEW YORK CITY WILL BENEFIT FROM OL'S HYBRID PROGRAMMING. OL'S ONLINE PRESENCE AND PLANS TO CURATE PROGRAMMING WITH HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE WILL HELP OL REACH BEYOND THE EARLY MUSIC AUDIENCE TO INFLUENCE HUMANITIES BROADLY. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE RECIPIENT PLANS TO SUBAWARD FUNDS FOR CONTRACTUAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROJECT.]