The world of opera is set to embrace a poignant and deeply personal narrative, as the life and experiences of Howard Reich, a former Chicago Tribune critic, are brought to the stage in the form of an opera. This is not the first time Reich's writing has been adapted for the opera house, but this time, he steps into the spotlight himself, both literally and metaphorically. The opera, titled 'The Dialogue of Memories', is a powerful exploration of family history, trauma, and the enduring impact of the Holocaust, a subject that Reich has grappled with throughout his life.
Reich's journey with this project is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of confronting the past. As a son of Holocaust survivors, he has always been acutely aware of the silence that surrounded the Shoah during his childhood in the 1950s and 60s. This silence, he reflects, was a result of the trauma and pain that his parents carried, a pain that intensified in the early 2000s with the passing of his mother. Reich's own writing, including the book 'Prisoner of Her Past' and the documentary film of the same name, delved into his mother's PTSD, offering a raw and honest account of her experiences.
The opera, therefore, is a natural progression for Reich, a chance to confront the 'radioactive' center of his family's life. It is a way to process and share the stories that were once off-limits, to give voice to the survivors and to the millions more who inherited the horrors of the Holocaust. The opera's libretto, written by Reich, draws from his own writing and the intimate conversations he had with Elie Wiesel, the Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor. Wiesel, according to Reich, 'changed the world's perception of survivors more than anyone', and his influence is evident in the opera's sage-like counsel, offering guidance and support to Reich's character.
The opera's musical score, composed by Tom Cipullo, is a masterful blend of lyricism and tension, nodding to Reich's long career as a jazz and classical critic. The score references Gershwinesque symphonic jazz and Robert Schumann's 'Kinderszenen', lending a nostalgic twinge to the childhood memories depicted. Cipullo's approach to composing is akin to a Hollywood movie biographer, capturing the essence of the real-life figures in musical form.
'The Dialogue of Memories' is not just an opera; it is a deeply personal journey for Reich, a chance to confront his own history and to share it with the world. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of storytelling, of giving voice to the past, and of the enduring impact of the Holocaust. As the opera takes to the stage, it invites audiences to reflect on the past, to confront the trauma, and to appreciate the power of art in processing and sharing our most intimate stories.
