Opera can be an intimidating word for some people who are unfamiliar with it. But according to Dr. Paul Siskind ’86, associate professor of music at Crane, with a little understanding of opera’s roots and a read of a synopsis beforehand, any one can enjoy this form of dramatic musical theater.

Dr. Siskind is eagerly awaiting the premiere of his recently composed opera for the Crane Opera Program based on Isak Dinesen’s short story “The Sailor-Boy’s Tale.” With the libretto written by Dr. Alan Steinberg, professor of English at SUNY Potsdam, “The Sailor-Boy and the Falcon” premieres at SUNY Potsdam November 17 through November 19 and features world renowned mezzo-soprano and Metropolitan Opera star Stephanie Blythe ’93.

The central theme of the story is the coming of age of a teenager, Simon, struggling in the dangerous and unpredictable world of a sailor in Norway.

“It is good theater with aspects that everyone can relate to—falling in love, growing up, learning your place in the world and developing values. The story itself will grab people. “The music connects with the drama and enhances it,” he said. “When there is a story even if you are not familiar with the style of music, you can still get wrapped up into it and enjoy all the elements and the sheer spectacle of it all. This story has magical and mystical elements and there will be a fair amount of spectacle for people to enjoy.”

Blythe sings the role of The Falcon/Sunniva. Accompanied by the Crane Opera Orchestra, all other roles and the chorus will be sung by Crane students.

Dr. Siskind was part of a successful $70,000 grant supporting the production of the Opera. His summer has been taken over by finalizing the score. Although many composers these days work directly on the computer Siskind is still most productive with a number two pencil and a sheet of paper.

The production weekend is packed with opportunities for area residents and students to get to know opera first hand. A morning matinee performance for North Country students is followed by educational activities, discussions with cast members and backstage tours. Performances allow for discussion with pre-performance lectures. A special Opera Education Roundtable panel discussion will take place featuring specially invited opera aficionados, including Blythe.

Dr. Siskind joined the Crane faculty in 1998 and has had music commissioned and performed across the U.S. and abroad by the Minnesota Orchestra, the Arditti String Quartet and the Dale Warland Singers. He has worked as a composer-in-residence for the education department of the Minnesota Opera and as an auditor for the New York State Council on the Arts. Dr. Siskind holds degrees in composition from the University of Minnesota (Ph.D.), Queens College (M.A.) and SUNY Potsdam (B.M.), as well as a B.S. in biology (Phi Beta Kappa) from Tufts Univeristy.

“It is exciting to see a full-blown opera production in the North Country,” says Dr. Siskind. “We can really turn up the volume and show the region and the world that opera still matters and there is nothing like it.”