Composer Anthony Gatto releases his radio opera setting of Gertrude Stein's "The Making of Americans," a reworking of his original opera premiered at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis in 2008. Fusing aspects of minimalism, experimentalism, and a keen instinct for setting Stein's quixotic prose, Gatto has created a unique presentation for a work whose fundamental and poignantly relevant question is uttered early in the opening scene, "What is a normal American?" Born in Brooklyn, New York, Anthony Gatto has developed a diverse body of music, often informed by literary and visual arts, exploring alternative narrative modes and structures. His cross-media works include the music and libretto for Wise Blood, after the novel Flannery O'Connor. Commissioned by the Walker Art Center, Wise Blood (2015) presents the shattered war veteran Hazel Motes preaching the Church Without Christ from the hood of his car. Also commissioned by the Walker Art Center, his opera The Making of Americans (2008), based on the novel by Gertrude Stein, presents Stein's spectacular, universalist language celebrating generations of American families. "Soon now there will be a history of every one whoever was or is or will be living." and "Every one whoever was or is or will be living sometime will be clearly realized by someone."

Tracklist:

The Making Of Americans, Pt. 1 "Progress Of American Families" (Radio Opera Version): What Is A Normal American?
The Making Of Americans, Pt. 1 "Progress Of American Families" (Radio Opera Version): Family Living Can Be Existing
The Making Of Americans, Pt. 1 "Progress Of American Families" (Radio Opera Version): Everyone Who Ever Was Or Is Or W
The Making Of Americans, Pt. 2 "The Marriage And Divorce Of Julia Dehning & Alfred Hersland & Episodes Of Martha He
The Making Of Americans, Pt. 2 "The Marriage And Divorce Of Julia Dehning & Alfred Hersland & Episodes Of Martha He
The Making Of Americans, Pt. 2 "The Marriage And Divorce Of Julia Dehning & Alfred Hersland & Episodes Of Martha He
The Making Of Americans, Pt. 3 "The Funeral Of David Hersland" (Radio Opera Version): If Anyone Is Sad Enough
The Making Of Americans, Pt. 3 "The Funeral Of David Hersland" (Radio Opera Version): Sharp Knives And Sharp Scissors
The Making Of Americans, Pt. 3 "The Funeral Of David Hersland" (Radio Opera Version): Some Were Very Pleased
The Making Of Americans, Pt. 3 "The Funeral Of David Hersland" (Radio Opera Version): Changing Is Existing
The Making Of Americans, Pt. 3 "The Funeral Of David Hersland" (Radio Opera Version): He Was Not One Who Had Been One
The Making Of Americans, Pt. 4 "History Of A Family’s Progress" (Radio Opera Version): Family Living Can Go On E
The Making Of Americans, Pt. 4 "History Of A Family’s Progress" (Radio Opera Version): Anyone Has Come To Be A D
The Making Of Americans, Pt. 4 "History Of A Family’s Progress" (Radio Opera Version): Some Are Not Believing

UPC: 655646189765
Label: New Focus
Release Date: 8.7.20
Format: CD

Gatto - Making of Americans (CD)