Works for the Stage
With Blood, With Ink
A chamber opera in one act, music by Daniel Crozier.
Professional World Premiere
recording available on:
iTunes
Albany Records
Amazon
Arkiv Musik
“The opera is strongly organized, dramatically powerful, inventively framed . . . With Blood, With Ink is gripping, dramatic and philosophically relevant.”
“. . . a tightly constructed opera in nine scenes, centered on a charismatic real-life heroine, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a 17th-century Mexican nun and poet. Mr. Krask’s spare, dramatic libretto seamlessly incorporates some of Juana’s poetry . . . with . . . strong theatrical devices.”
“. . . a remarkably vital and stageworthy work. Despite the youth of Crozier and Krask when they conceived it, virtually every creative decision was so astutely gauged that you might think they were old hands at the opera game . . . Krask’s libretto intelligently compresses the facts . . .”
“. . . a drama that explores the tyranny of paternalistic hierarchy and the still relevant issues of political fundamentalism versus intellectual rationalism . . . ideas even more timely in 2014. Krask’s libretto offer some arresting verbal moments . . . a flawless and imaginative libretto . . . rich with lovely and thrilling moments.”
“Krask’s libretto is a marvel of organization and literary excellence. Libretti have sunk many an operatic ship, but here the opera sails on Krask’s well-crafted framework.”
“ . . . a fascinating and moving music drama . . . of contrast, intrigue and, most important, emotive power and dignity . . . masterful story-telling throughout . . . Krask resists standard archetypes and two-dimensional characterizations . . . ”
The Language of Birds
An opera in two acts, music by John Kennedy. Commissioned by the Sarasota Opera
“. . . charming . . . proved to be a persuasive piece of musical drama . . . a beguiling addition to the genre.”
“It is no easy task to create an opera matched to young performers that is artful enough to engage a sophisticated adult audience . . . a youth opera of great note . . . the wit of the libretto, excellent throughout . . . drew cheers from the audience.”