

QUARANTINE B*TCH: RSVP
song
Commissioned by soprano Kara Dugan and WQXR
Premiered at The Greene Space, 12.05.2021
text by Christina Kelly
performed by Kara Dugan and Peter Dugan
program notes:
When Kara asked me to contribute a minute-long song for her project that “highlights female perspectives and voices, and spotlights our shared human experience” I loved everything about it, but was sold at “minute-long”. I am a huge fan of the miniature, especially the rigor that goes into presenting a concept while valuing people’s time and energy. (Is my desire to be time-efficient related to my New York-ness?) I was delighted at Christina Kelly’s pithy R.S.V.P., a self-deprecating portrait of a certain personality (mine) that overwhelmingly favors sedentary lethargy over social interaction. It could be an understatement to say that the COVID Pandemic has been extremely difficult, and the stress and anxiety of its lethal effects and an uncertain future have been devastating for everyone. What I’ve needed more than ever in this time is levity, something to lighten the day. Here I present my shortest, most comedic opera.
For a live performance, click here
For a recording, click here
Photo Credit: Justine F. Chen.
JUSTINE F. CHEN
COMPOSER AND VIOLINIST
BREAKING NEWS:
BRAVA to the ever luminous Jen Zetlan and Nana Shi and their phenomenal performance of PHILOMEL in my old stomping grounds of Brooklyn Heights! Thank you, BASS!
THANKS to Johnathan McCullough and Carol Wong for their charmingly hilarious performance of my Platform Anxiety song! April 13, 2023 -Thanks also to Carnegie Hall, Citywide!
THANK YOU to the cast and crew of THE LIFE AND DEATH(S) OF ALAN TURING!! Chicago Tribune COT Interview Out Chicago
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BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Maryland Opera Studio for their beautiful performance of TWA - a new opera with librettist Jacqueline Goldfinger!
Check out my Know Them Now video on YouTube! Thanks, BMI!
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