Excerpt from a Leonard Cohen OPERA

[MarciaLP]

Fans and artists,

If you are interested in reading an excerpt of the opera which I based on the songs and music of Leonard Cohen, just click on the link below.

I included a short introduction so that the format of an opera manuscript will be easier to follow.

http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/OPERA.htm


Marcia--

[Cate]

Marcia, this is very cool! I would go to see it.

Thanks for explaining some of the terms to make it more readable for those of us
not familiar with the form. It's very easy to envision what would be happening.

Good luck!!!

[MarciaLP]

Thanks, Cate.

Really glad you liked it.

[lizzytysh]

Hi Marcia ~

Rather than write this on each of the threads where you commented, I'll just do it here.
LOVE the informed nature and substantive quality of your feedback to the writers. It's the kind that's truly helpful for future writing.
Wish I were able to give that kind of feedback, but what I'm 'qualified' to do is say what I personally like, don't like, and why... and weigh in more heavily on the former. Those are not necessarily supported in a literary sense, though. Hence, LOVED reading your comments.


~ Lizzy

[Cate]

Lizzy,
saying what you like or dislike is very helpful and I think the type of thing that even professional or highly skilled writers would appreciate your feedback(I think your nature might make saying what you dislike a bit tricky, but that's okay). Your responses to peoples efforts are almost always encouraging and often insightful as to how you see a piece.

... I guess want to say, is that I think your responses are just fine as they are, and that it's kind of you to take the time that you do.

[lizzytysh]

That's VERY kind of you to say those things, Cate. Thanks. Always hoping that my comments are appreciated, yet I know they're oftimes considered 'rah rah' by some. For instance, when I SO often like/love what you've written, I know it can seem like that. Still, I figure, I like what I like... and some may actually find it helpful why that is, in a non-literary way. When someone like Marcia comes along and responds with so much literary substance, though, it's a breath of fresh air and I'm awed. I haven't had time to read her excerpt here and look forward to doing that. I see that you liked it and am not surprized.

Thanks again, Cate.

[MarciaLP]

Hey Lizzy,

Thanks so much for your response. I'm happy if it helps anyone but I guess that is my best way to respond to people's work. A somewhat critical (in a positive way) nature, and I've really tried to learn to use that helpfully in my own work. You know, turn potential demons into our helpmates. And I'm currently preoccupied with studying poetry, all the components it's made up of, what enhances our taking it in. I'm reading this book by Mary Oliver, a lovely poet herself, titled Rules Of The Dance. I wanted to better appreciate my reading of poetry.

I agree with Cate. The thing we all really want to hear is whether the piece was liked and in what personal way it affected us, if it was enjoyed, embraced, so to speak. And I've noticed in this short time that you are very responsive to people's work. It shows so much interest and care, and I love that you're so free to do so. You inspired me to respond more frequently.

I try to remember, when I write, what Whitman said was more important than any other attribute a writer, or anyone who expresses themselves, could possess: candor. I think he's right--stuff right from the heart, spontaneous, and truthful. I like your style!

go girl... Keep it up!

Marcia

[lizzytysh]

Thank you so much, Marcia... I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate your very positive comments... and your application of Whitman to the situation. And I'm happy to hear that I've inspired you . Candor, of course, has to include the "constructive criticism," as well... and knowing what you're talking about is very helpful when doing that ~ hence, my more limited coverage in commenting. Still, so good to hear you and Cate underscore the importance to the writer of simply knowing the personal impact of their work. YaY!

Mary Oliver is wonderful! The book sounds like one that could be very helpful to me, too. Thanks for mentioning it. What you've been saying in response to others here has been very helpful. In fact, we rather called for you to join in on the thread by kenzulu regarding the Metrical Pattern of a poem. He returned with the poem and his request for assistance in a different manner than originally, and we've been getting rather involved in it. You'll see my level of poetry ignorance if you go there... and may well have something constructive to add yourself.

Just read your comments to Paul about Gullivor. You have so much that's concrete and of relevance and substance to say. I know our writers appreciate your comments.


Thanks, again, for your comments to me .


~ Lizzy

[Gullivor]

Hi Marcia,

I enjoyed experiencing your excerpt of the opera. The music was replaying in my head along with seeing the opera by your clear descriptions.

I too would love to go see it.

Personally I believe Leonard would be a fool to not take this on. Not saying he is a fool but saying it would be foolish for him not to. I mean the guy obviously likes touring at this time in his life...he cant seem to stop. It appears he loves this stuff and it would be a great achievement for him while his fans, I believe, would go crazy over it.

[lizzytysh]

I'm finally, just now, reading through your opera excerpt, Marcia.
Your innovation and creativity with Leonard's songs, the way you weave them in with your use of the detailed scenarios are wonderful!!!

ACT ONE — Metamorphosis of A Poet and Lover

ACT TWO — Education of The Universal Man

Love your Act titles!

The poignancy and tender understanding of the artist's life under-girds all of this.

. . . his coat dripping wet. He shivers like a sorry stray.

So graphic and evocative.

. . . lands a tough-guy slap on OA’s shoulder, which causes a coughing fit.

Hilarious and sad at the same time.

Like it, too, that you have a country trio in here, since Leonard started out as one of a country quartet, the Buckskin Boys.

Your wildly varied scenarios leading up to and including this one are sublime...

Biker-Chick in the bustier takes OA by his hand and leads him out to dance—he’s drunk and she’s horny so it’s a sloppy grab-and-fumble slapstick.

DANCERS on the floor wind down to the weary pace of marathon dancers.

Your varied ebb and flow of action, sparks throughout this extremely interesting libretto, which feels 'almost' like a book because of your vivid descriptions of how the players are to handle their parts... and your divisions of the lyrics to match the action are terrific!

Even the ANCIENT COWGIRL tears her blouse off (an ancient granny-corset beneath) and a SHY DANCER lays his sappy head on her sagging chest.

This is ALL so evocative and fitting to your purpose[s].

[/qHANDSOME wipes OA’s forehead and strokes his head in motherly tenderness as they dance. OA wraps his arms around him and hugs him gratefully.


I swear it happened just like this
a sigh, a cry, a hungry kiss
it’s CLOSING TIME …

Love the turn of expectation of OA's dancing with a male vs. a female, especially with Leonard's own past comments re: 'homosexuality' [giving rise to thoughts of his experimenting with it in his own past].

In the window: expands to the rise of dawn’s stark promise—a harsh unearthly light, lonely and hollow like every hangover’s morning of raw reality. Church spires peak through the starkness: Sunday morning—silent bells and birds fluttering in church towers in an empty sky.

WoW

HANDSOME wakes, raises his hand to his bleary eyes and squints at the light. He gently lifts OA’s head off his shoulder—OA wakes and holds his hurting head.

HANDSOME helps OA up and they hobble together out into center stage.

They straighten themselves, embarrassed by their drunken intimacy (what they can remember of it!) and slap each other in manly salute.

And WoW, again.

The slow percussion beat of “Anthem” intro sets OA moving—but stilted and undirected.

. . .and again.

You have clearly put an amazing amount of thought and consideration and creativity into your production, Marcia.
This would be SUCH an amazing piece... and one I'd enjoy even more than the one I saw in New York in 2004 at our Event there, and I enjoyed IT immensely! Your use of various approaches and details with Leonard's lyrics are astounding and delightful!

And all you need is Leonard's and his management's permission.
PLEASE keep trying!
I will FOR SURE be there for this... and I believe the success of this could go on for a very long time, as it's such intelligent use of a genius's lyrics. And excellent writing on your part!

All the best to you, Marcia, in this!!! There are many other excerpts from your excerpt that I could have singled out.


~ Lizzy

[MarciaLP]

Wow, you guys! Thank you for your responses, Gullivor and Lizzy. It's so good to hear all that positive appreciation. Both of you, what you said in your own ways, both endearing, is so helpful to me. I have always felt this opera, which was created out of sheer explosive appreciation for Leonard Cohen's songs, would be wholly welcomed by him if he ever had a chance to read it. I wrote only with a clear vision of how to best interpret that poetry and music in a unique style that would be equal to all the diverse elements in LC's songs and poetry. And I really think it worked. So, thank you for reinforcing that.

Lizzy, your critical detail is excellent. And you gave me so much, so generously and with such heart that--once again--you inspire me. I think you should not doubt your ability to respond critically--all you said was very apt and intelligent. Thank you again!

till later, with a grateful heart,
Marcia

[lizzytysh]

Yes, it DOES work... and exceptionally well, Marcia!!!
Your instincts with your own work are spot on.
I hope so much you are able to make headway and being granted the permissions you need to proceed!
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words to me, too, Marcia... they mean a lot !!!

All of the very best in your great endeavour!


~ Lizzy