Sally Ride
A new opera based on the life of America's first female astronaut
Libretto by Aiden K. Feltkamp
Music by Dana Kaufman
Historical Consulting by Dr. Tam O'Shaughnessy
Commissioned by Synchromy
Funded by OPERA America's Discovery Grant for Women Composers, the Hellman Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts
Synopsis: Sally Ride follows the real life story of the first American woman and the first LGBTQ+ person to go to space. Narrated by her life partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy, the opera illuminates Sally’s intense drive to succeed and her innate need for privacy, two elements which constantly clash as she rises through the ranks of NASA and emerges into the public eye. Again and again, Sally must decide to either follow the path society expects for her or create her own way. Sally Ride explores the thrills, the disappointments, the humor, and the secrets of Sally’s life, drawing the audience along for a night of triumph and personal exploration. The opera’s accessible music and story will appeal to audiences of all ages, but will especially consider young girls and gender-diverse people with an interest in STEM.
Length: 2 hours
Instrumentation: Violin, Cello, Trumpet, Clarinet
Roles:
Sally Ride - high voice
Tam O'Shaughnessy - middle voice
NASA male astronaut - low voice
Chorus (SATB) with solos
Performance History:
November 2023 - 2220 Arts + Archives in Los Angeles, CA with Synchromy (workshop)
Music by Dana Kaufman
Historical Consulting by Dr. Tam O'Shaughnessy
Commissioned by Synchromy
Funded by OPERA America's Discovery Grant for Women Composers, the Hellman Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts
Synopsis: Sally Ride follows the real life story of the first American woman and the first LGBTQ+ person to go to space. Narrated by her life partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy, the opera illuminates Sally’s intense drive to succeed and her innate need for privacy, two elements which constantly clash as she rises through the ranks of NASA and emerges into the public eye. Again and again, Sally must decide to either follow the path society expects for her or create her own way. Sally Ride explores the thrills, the disappointments, the humor, and the secrets of Sally’s life, drawing the audience along for a night of triumph and personal exploration. The opera’s accessible music and story will appeal to audiences of all ages, but will especially consider young girls and gender-diverse people with an interest in STEM.
Length: 2 hours
Instrumentation: Violin, Cello, Trumpet, Clarinet
Roles:
Sally Ride - high voice
Tam O'Shaughnessy - middle voice
NASA male astronaut - low voice
Chorus (SATB) with solos
Performance History:
November 2023 - 2220 Arts + Archives in Los Angeles, CA with Synchromy (workshop)
