Being noble may not be 'Sophie's' best choice

Maybe I missed the memo - the policy directive stating that the most effective strategy to achieve new English-language opera is to base it on a classic play or novel, preferably one that has already acquired a definitive film version. Composers received the message, though, and the American Lit school of opera has developed a syllabus of its own: Tobias Picker's "American Tragedy," John Harbison's "The Great Gatsby," Andre Previn's "A Streetcar Named Desire," William Bolcom's "A View From the Bridge," Mark Adamo's "Little Women," Ned Rorem's "Our Town."

BY JUSTIN DAVIDSON

September 25, 2006