Rouse: Dennis Cleveland

The second part of the new narrative opera trilogy (between Failing Kansas and The End of Cinematics, ) about the nature of corporate entertainment, Dennis Cleveland is a spectacular piece, a multimedia opera in the form of a television talk show. Its host, Dennis Cleveland, is the central "catalyst and provocateur" surrounded by soloists (audience members) and a chorus (the on-stage guests). Stories of lost love, obsession, crime and regrets, describe both personal events in the participants lives and also by implication unfold the story of the show's host. Live video of the audience, the singers in the audience, studio lighting, and so on are employed to obscure the difference between the opera stage and attending audience. The content of the text is a critique of modern society that depends only on reason, the ability to "deliver, " to the exclusion of intuition, feeling, creativity and even common sense. Many contemporary rhythmic styles are suggested and the text is a subtle and highly involving "counterpoetry." ~ "Blue" Gene Tyranny