Composer

:

Jonathan Berger

Genre

:

Opera

Average_duration

:

01:10:52

My Lai is an opera composed by Jonathan Berger that premiered on March 16, 2018, at the Bing Concert Hall in Stanford, California. The opera is based on the infamous My Lai massacre that occurred during the Vietnam War, where American soldiers killed over 500 unarmed Vietnamese civilians, including women and children. The opera is divided into three movements, each exploring different aspects of the massacre. The first movement, "The Sound of War," sets the scene with the sounds of helicopters, gunfire, and explosions. The second movement, "The Trials," focuses on the legal proceedings that followed the massacre, including the court-martial of Lieutenant William Calley, who was found guilty of murder. The final movement, "The Dead," is a requiem for the victims of the massacre. Berger's music is characterized by its haunting melodies and dissonant harmonies, which reflect the horror and tragedy of the events depicted in the opera. The libretto, written by Harriet Scott Chessman, is based on interviews with survivors of the massacre and other primary sources. The premiere of My Lai was met with critical acclaim, with reviewers praising the opera's powerful emotional impact and its ability to confront difficult historical truths. The opera has since been performed at other venues, including the Harris Theater in Chicago and the Park Avenue Armory in New York City. Overall, My Lai is a powerful and thought-provoking work of art that explores the complexities of war, justice, and human nature. Its premiere in 2018 marked an important contribution to the ongoing conversation about the legacy of the Vietnam War and its impact on American society.

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