Oberlin College and Conservatory, a small school in Ohio with a big reputation, has created a Weill festival with financial help from the Kurt Weill Foundation. The main event is a staged performance of Weill’s American opera Street Scene (book by Elmer Rice, lyrics by Langston Hughes), which opened on Broadway in 1947. The opera has become a staple on college campuses in recent years thanks to a compelling story and a good blend of acting and singing. Other events include a cabaret given by voice students at the Conservatory, lectures by Weill scholars bruce mcclung and Kim H. Kowalke, and a screening of the film version of Street Scene without music (1931), directed by King Vidor.

Both professional and student organizations may apply for a sponsorship from the Foundation, which offers funding to cover expenses for multiple Weill-related events. In recent years, the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, the Glimmerglass Festival, Symphony Space, and the National Music Theater Conference have all benefited from Foundation sponsorships. Anyone interested in pursuing a sponsorship is urged to contact the Foundation at an early planning stage. Sponsorships are distinct from the Foundation’s grant program, which also offers assistance in several categories, including performance.

Features

Oberlin News Center story on the festival

More on the Oberlin production of Street Scene

Learn more about Street Scene