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Seagle Festival is excited to present the WORLD PREMIERE of the brand new opera HARMONY by Robert Carl & Russell Banks!

Set in Keene Valley, NY, with numerous Adirondack references, our world premiere opera tells the story of young composer Charles Ives, his love for high-class Harmony Twichell, and the interference of Twichell family friend Mark Twain in their betrothal – the opera is based on true events.

For a full synopsis of the opera CLICK HERE.

The creation of HARMONY began after Robert Carl picked up a copy of Russell Bank’s novel “Rule of the Bone” and later learned that Russell was married to Ives’ grandniece, the poet Chase Twichell. Intrigued by the partnership of Charles Ives and Mark Twain, the two began their own partnership in writing and composing this new opera.

[Read more…] about Harmony – A World Premiere Opera

As Seagle Festival begins selling tickets for its 2021 series of live-streamed performances, we know there are many questions people have about the how’s and why’s of this summer – especially since this season is so very different from our past in-person seasons. So, we put together answers to some frequently asked questions. If you have a question that’s not answered here, feel free to comment below, or contact us at (518) 532-7875 or info@seaglefestival.org.

Q: What is a live-stream performance?

A: In live-stream performances like Seagle Festival will be producing this summer, artists are performing live on-stage, in our case at the Oscar Seagle Memorial Theater. Their performance is captured by cameras and microphones, and that information is sent directly to the internet in real time. From there, audience members who have logged in to watch the live-stream on their computer, laptop, smartphone, etc., receive the information from the internet in real-time and watch the capture on their screens. You can think of it as a live TV broadcast like your local news, but using different technology.

Q: How is a live-stream different than an on-demand video, or something on Netflix?

A: On-demand videos, or shows like you watch on Netflix or other online content providers, are playing a pre-recorded version of the show. In a live-stream, the performance of the show is happening at the same time the show is being watched online.

Q: Why produce live-streams and not on-demand content?

A: Seagle Festival’s decision to offer live-stream performances for 2021 is most directly related to our mission. While virtual performances will never replace the experience of live theater for both performers and audience members, offering live-streamed performances will most closely replicate a live performance for both performers and audiences. Our mission to bring quality performances to our audiences and offer exceptional training and performance experiences to our artists drove us to this decision.

Q: Are there examples of live-streamed performances?

A: The most well-known examples of live-streamed performances, especially in our field, are the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD performances seen in movie theaters across the country. These performances, happening in NYC on the Met’s stage, are live-streamed to screens around the world. Often, the recordings of these performances are then re-broadcast later in the week at the same theater, or are available on-demand via the Met’s website.

[Read more…] about Live-Stream Performances & Ticketing FAQ’s

With the safety of both our artists and audiences in mind, and guided by consultation with state and local health departments, Seagle Festival is excited to make the following announcements about the 2021 Seagle Festival Season.

Because audience gathering will likely not be allowed until sometime in the fall, we will once again be presenting virtual programming for our audiences. However, with the advantage of our residential campus that allows for our staff and artists to remain in a quarantine ‘bubble’ for the time they are here, the 2021 Seagle Festival emerging artist and staff will be working together on the Seagle Festival campus to present live-streamed performances. This will allow for something close to a live, in-person experience for our audiences, and will allow our emerging artists the opportunity to perform live, albeit through the camera.

With underwriting assistance from the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, the Cloudsplitter Foundation, and the Touba Family Foundation, we are investing in high quality live-streaming equipment and technical personnel to ensure the audience experience is as close to a live performance as is possible under these circumstances. We are excited to join the world of live-streaming similar to so many incredible companies across the globe from the Metropolitan Opera to the Vienna Philharmonic.

In order to limit the number of people on our campus at once, and in accordance with anticipated pandemic guidelines, the 2021 Seagle Festival emerging artists will participate in-person in one of two four-week sessions this summer, along with virtual training for eight weeks. In each four-week session, the participating artists and staff will produce four productions, which will be live-streamed over a two-week period in a repertory schedule.

Since there will be no seat reservations, ticket sales will not begin until this spring. Details about ticket purchase, ticket price, and how to watch the streamed performances will be delivered via email, our website seaglefestival.org, and our social media channels: Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.

While the planned 2021 program is not back to our typical pre-pandemic level or schedule, we are proud to be able to offer these training and performance opportunities for the selected 2021 Seagle Festival emerging artist, and a full series of live-streamed performances for our beloved audiences.

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CLICK HERE FOR PRODUCTION DETAILS & PERFORMANCE DATES

For several years now, the opera and musical theater program located in Schroon Lake has struggled to reconcile part of its brand, namely the word ‘colony’, with what it does and how it functions in the greater field of classical music. To better reflect the nature of its business model, the former Seagle Music Colony will now be known as Seagle festival.

History and context:

In 1915, internationally famous concert singer and vocal teacher Oscar Seagle created a summer retreat in the Adirondacks for the express purpose of teaching vocal students. As was typical of the times, artist retreats were often called colonies – hence Seagle Colony began. In the early years it truly was an artist colony, where students worked on their singing but performed little for the public, barring an occasional recital or concert. Limited public performances of operas and scenes started in the 1930s at the Peabody Estate on Diamond Point Road in Lake George.

After Oscar died in 1946, his son John, a well-known singer and teacher himself, took over the program. He added a theater to the campus and increasingly frequent public performances happened in Schroon Lake. In 1995, operation of the program was transitioned to a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. The company’s mission statement has changed over time to not only embrace vocal teaching, but include public performances to bolster this training. Recently, fall workshops and summer performances of new works of musical theater have further broadened the program’s offerings.

[Read more…] about Our 2021 Rebrand: Introducing SEAGLE FESTIVAL