‘AS ONE’ EXPLORES THE INNER LIFE OF A TRANSGENDER PERSON

The Fry Street Quartet enjoys large scale endeavors. In the last few years they’ve given the first Utah performance of the complete Beethoven quartets and continue to collaborate on the ongoing Crossroads Project, which allies the arts and sciences to focus public awareness on the serious problem of global sustainability.

The foursome (violinists Robert Waters and Rebecca McFaul; violist Brad Ottesen; and cellist Anne Francis Bayless) certainly doesn’t shy away from being in the center of social issues. Their most recent collaboration is with composer Laura Kaminsky — whom they have known for a number of years and who also has been involved in the Crossroads Project — on the chamber opera As One.

Kelly Markgraf

The opera received its world premiere last September in New York at the Brooklyn Academy of Music to glowing reviews. It will get its Utah premiere next week at Utah State University, where the FSQ has been in residence since 2002.

As One relates the experiences and inner life of a transgender person (Hannah) moving toward self-realization. With a libretto by Mark Campbell and film by Kimberly Reed, it’s a unique exploration of a transgender person, with baritone Kelly Markgraf and mezzo-soprano Blythe Gaissert taking on the role of Hannah before and after.

“This couldn’t come at a better time,” said McFaul, the FSQ’s second violinist. “It’s a simple story that’s about self-realization, freedom, love and acceptance. Anyone can relate to that.”

The music is both sweet and earnest, McFaul said. “The musical writing is tonal, but at times it’s spare and disjointed and sometimes very rhythmic. It’s really a very evocative score.”

She’s excited that As Onewill be performed in Logan. It takes the FSQ out of their comfort

Blythe Gaissert

zone, but McFaul and her colleagues have taken up the challenge. “It’s been a fantastic experience for us.”

The quartet doesn’t just accompany the singers; they are onstage and are active participants in the story.

“This is a fantastic concept,” said McFaul. “The quartet as an entity speaks as one voice, but it’s the viola that is the star in the music, because it acts as the middle voice.”

The four also get to do bit parts and are an organic part of the set. “We’re integrated into the performance. We’re situated so that the singers can run through the middle.”

The props are simple; there is only one chair. Most of the set is provided by Reed’s film, which is projected onto several screens. “The film is part of the set and very integrated into the narrative,” McFaul said.

Markgraf and his wife Sasha Cooke sang at the world premiere performance. Because of other professional commitments she couldn’t reprise her role in Logan. Instead, Gaissert, who was Cooke’s understudy in New York, will sing. “Blythe is wonderful.”

As One is a thought provoking work that makes a powerful statement, McFaul said. “It’s an incredibly constructed work of art that hopefully can influence people by its message. It really speaks to all of us, and I hope people come and take in this beautiful message.”

  • PERFORMANCE DETAILS
  • What: Laura Kaminsky’s As One
  • Venue: Performance Hall, Utah State University
  • Time and Date: 7:30 p.m. April 7
  • Tickets: $10-$15
  • Phone: 435-797-8022
  • Web: www.arts.usu.edu