Meet the Composer

Richard Wargo

A new opera, Sharon's Grave, music and libretto by Richard Wargo, based on the play of the same name by Irish playwright John B. Keane. Sharon's Grave was set on the west coast of Ireland during the 1920's, on a headland haunted by spirits at the place where a young princess drowned centuries earlier. The music included arias, love duets, ballads, and humor-filled ensembles. The complete opera, two hours in length, was composed for a cast of nine singers and will employ a small chorus. During the last week of May 2009 Discussion and excerpts of the commissioned work were held at the Brooklyn High School for the Arts. These events established contact in set up a collaboration between the composer, Richard Wargo, and the students who followed through by attending the May performance. There were free pre and post performance discussions with the audience and with the media. The tickets were low-priced and there were discounts for seniors and students. There were free pre and post performance discussions with the audience and with the media.