Genesis Opera Project 1

John Studzinski speaks about the genesis of Genesis.

John Studzinski, Chairman of the Genesis Opera Project, today announced the outcome of the first Genesis Opera Project. The panel have decided to apportion a £20,000 prize across the three creative teams in recognition of the different but very real achievements of their strong, diverse talents and approaches.

The nine shortlisted projects which were presented in April 2002 for The Genesis Prizes for Opera are the work of 19 artists, from 11 countries, across four continents. By supporting the process of writing chamber opera, from proposal stage through to full production, The Genesis Prizes for Opera aim to make a difference to the commissioning of new opera internationally. The second Genesis Opera Project, formerly known as The Genesis Prizes for Opera, was launched in Autumn 2002.

Gerry Cornelius was born in London and graduated from Durham University before studying conducting at the Royal Academy of Music, with Colin Metters, George Hurst and Sir Colin Davis. On leaving the Academy he continued his study for two years at the St Petersburg State Conservatory with Ilya Musin. He is winner of the Henry Wood, August Manns and Philharmonia Chorus scholarships for conducting.

The Genesis Prizes for Opera is a new initiative, launched in January 2001. The workshop phase comes midway through a two-year process culminating when the three commissioned operas are performed in July 2003 and the fourth, commended opera is performed thereafter.

Is opera a dead form? Is it a museum genre to be enjoyed only in glamorous old buildings with red plush auditoria and mainly by the privileged and the rich? Or does it have a future as a vibrant theatrical form that can address and satisfy contemporary audiences, deal with contemporary issues? Jonathan Reekie, Chief Executive of Aldeburgh Productions and Vice Chairman of the new Genesis Prizes for Opera in the Almeida Opera Festival shares some of his thoughts on the subject with us.

COMPOSING is slow, thirsty work. Unlike writers, musicians often don't get paid an advance to live on while composing their operas and symphonies. So when a new British philanthropic organisation, the Genesis Foundation, posted a web advertisement at the end of 2000 announcing a competition for new chamber opera, it's no surprise that more than 200 applications arrived, some from as far afield as Ukraine and Argentina.

The Advisory Panel for The Genesis Prizes for Opera is a diverse group of people that includes several arts professionals. Everyone on the panel shares a passion for the commissioning of new work and enthusiasm for nurturing emerging talent.

Boston-born John Studzinski graduated from Bowdoin College with two BA degrees, in biology and sociology, and gained his MBA from the University of Chicago. He is currently Deputy Chairman of Morgan Stanley International Limited where he has served for more than 20 years. He is a trustee of the Tate Gallery, a life trustee of the Sir John Soane Museum, a member of the finance committee of The Passage, and is on the advisory board of the London Symphony Orchestra.

Vikram Seth was born in Calcutta in 1952. The son of a shoe company executive and a judge, Seth left India to study at Oxford where he earned his degree in PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics). He also studied creative writing at Stanford University in the United States and classical Chinese poetry at Nanjing University, China.