Assistant Professor of technology at University of Alabama Birmingham, Craig Brandwien, composed Longing, A Love Across All Ages, with Libretto by David Alan Sellers. All in conjunction with Laura Melton, Center Sound Orchestra and Matthew Barron conducting the opera which is referred to as an ‘opera in one act.’ Brandwein, aka, Brandwynne, is an Emmy-nominated producer and songwriter, with all the other accolades to go with it, so this is a top-notch project release, with everyone supplying the goods to get the story across with the expertise it takes to pull off such an all-around enjoyable show of words and music.
The chimes throughout Longing, A Love Across The Ages, are something you can’t miss as it runs through five scenes without hesitation. But there’s so much more to note you must listen many times to really get it like the opera audience, but the recording is so good you feel like you’re experiencing it live anyway. You can’t beat the next best thing, so it comes recommended for both the opera novice and the die-hard opera lover. And make no mistake this is a serious undertaking that deserves to be exploited to the music world, not just opera fans.
“Overture” makes its short appearance with the Center Sound Orchestra quietly but assuredly lighting the way into five scenes, and that is where the chimes start. It’s some kind of magic the way music plays itself when you hear the orchestra on this introductory piece, as it quickly transitions into the opera itself and the voices take over with Laura Melton dominating most of the arrangements. “Scene 1” takes a long ride setting up the rest of the show, but it gets going over what it’s all about and the two singers are very easy to enjoy so you know what’s coming on that level.
Once “Scene 2” starts after the doctor preaching what’s best for his daughter, Elise, the show starts to take on an entertaining twist and the cursed prince comes to life in the Egyptian exhibit and everything gets more intensifying, as opera’s do. And this all continues as the story goes, with every scene leaving an impression to remember. “Scene 3” gets more descriptive and picturesque with the museum aspect coming into play during 1920’s New York City, as if to depict touring through a museum of ancient artifacts surrounding a cursed love story between the prince and daughter of Dr. Curtis.
“Scene 4” is where Laura Melton’s voice starts to peak and then save itself for the big ending. This is also where the prince gives in and offers Elise everything he can to win her love, and the voices collide beautifully in the process before everything dies back down. But this is not without much more to describe, you just have to be able to hear it for yourself to follow the storyline. “Scene 5” has more fun where Melton’s role is concerned, as the opera comes to a close and she manages to save the piersing top note for last.
Craig Brandwien Releases “Longing, A Love Across All Ages”
