As One
As One
2014 Chamber Opera
As One is a chamber opera in which two voices — Hannah after (mezzo-soprano) and Hannah before (baritone) — share the part of a sole transgender protagonist. Fifteen songs comprise the three-part narrative; with empathy and humor, they trace Hannah's experiences from her youth in a small town to her college years — and finally traveling alone to a different country, where she realizes some truths about herself.
Co-written with composer Laura Kaminsky and librettist Mark Campbell, As One was commissioned by American Opera Projects and opened on September 4, 2014, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Fishman Space. Since its premiere it has become the most produced new opera in North America, according to Opera America.
“As One forces you to think, simultaneously challenging preconceptions and inspiring empathy.”
“As One is everything that we hope for in contemporary opera: topical, poignant, daring, and beautifully written.”
“As One is the hottest title in opera right now, at least among the titles written in the last 100 years.”
“By moving beyond the daily news, ‘As One’ approaches admirable universality.”
“As One's real longevity lies in its ability to simultaneously tell a trans story and an everyman's story.”
“You don't have to be transgender — or even an opera-lover — to be moved and haunted by As One. As One has become a touchstone in outreach to the trans community.”
