Local composer Erling Wold is not shy about turning to the dark side for his subject matter. This has been most evident in his dramatic works; and his chamber opera Queer, based on the novel by William Burroughs of the same name, is an excellent case in point. It was composed in 2000, has received several revivals since then, and is now scheduled for performance as part of this year’s San Francisco International Arts Festival, whose mission involves “an annual gathering that brings together a global community of artists and audiences.” This year’s performance will mark the 25th anniversary of the first publication of the novel by Penguin.
Burroughs’ novel definitely offers a “global community” perspective in a unique (not to mention controversial) manner. Set in the 1940s, it is a tale of his alter ego, William Lee, who flees the United States to avoid a court appearance on drug charges. Lee takes refuge in the richly diverse expatriate community of Mexico City. His adventures combine an obsession with indigenous mythology about the hallucinogenic drug Yage with indulgences in more “conventional” narcotic drugs and gay sex. As its Wikipedia entry observes, this novel was one of Burroughs’ earliest exercises in his “routines” technique, which involves monologues that are as bizarre as they are extended.
One can see how these “routines” would appeal to those interested in opera. In many ways they come closer to the dramatic function of aria than most poems do, and they play a major role in Wold’s score. One of them is depicted in the video clip to the left of this column. The instrumentation for this score is heavily influenced by mariachi bands; and most of the melodic lines are lyrical set over a well-defined sense of rhythm. The role of Lee will be played by Joe Wicht (also known as Trauma Flintstone). The other lead involves a variety of the individuals that Lee encounters and will be performed by Ken Berry. Staging will be by Jim Cave with choreography by Cid Pearlman. Stage designs are by Clyde Sheets.
Queer will receive six performances during the Festival. They will take place over two Friday-Saturday-Sunday weekends. Opening night will be on Friday, May 20, at 9 PM. This will be followed by a 9 PM performance on Saturday, May 21, and a 7 PM performance on Sunday, May 22. The following weekend, the Friday (May 27) and Saturday (May 28) performances will be at 8 PM; and the Sunday (May 29) performance will again take place at 7 PM. All performances will be at the Southside Theater in Fort Mason. Tickets cost from $20 to $12 and may be purchased through a Brown Paper Tickets event page.
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