This. Is. You. Are. (2024)

Libretto by the composer

Duration: 25 mins

Commissioned by Telltale Opera Theatre

Premiere: February 3rd, 2025

Ben Ross (baritone), Telltale Players and Shah Sadikov (conductor), Baltimore, MD.

Post about the story and composition process:

Story:

This monodrama presents a narrative about someone who has their world and reality broken by many internal struggles that cannot be contained. These boil up to the surface in an explosive way that pushes them to face truths so far ignored, buried or suppressed. A realization…a coming to oneself…a breaking of a dam.

The aftermath, a turbulent exploration of queerness, of the body, the self through the eyes of others, and how we do or don’t allow society, past trauma and eventually love (of others and ourselves) can change us.