The Iowa State University Opera Studio, in collaboration with the Iowa Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, announces the world premiere of “The Miller’s Daughter: A New World Schubertiade” on Thursday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall.
This groundbreaking adaptation combines librettist Victoria Erickson’s innovative concept with Teaching Professor of Music and Theatre Jodi Goble’s newly composed music. Their collaboration breathes new life into Franz Schubert’s iconic song cycle, “Die schöne Müllerin,” in celebration of its 200th anniversary. The production is co-directed by Goble and Assistant Teaching Professor of Music and Theatre Chad Sonka.
“The Miller’s Daughter” transforms Schubert’s timeless work by expanding and reimagining the narrative through the lens of its original muse, the Miller’s Daughter. Erickson, an American soprano who recently spent six months in Germany performing and conducting research through a DAAD-Respekt & Wertschätzung grant, worked closely with German universities to create singer-informed new music. Erickson’s residency abroad and her experience as an artist-in-residence for the Aria Institute for Composers and Librettists uniquely position her to craft a libretto that enhances Schubert’s original masterpiece.
Grammy-nominated composer Goble, known for compositions that shed light on women traditionally overlooked in historical narratives, brings her compositional and thematic expertise to this project. As the 2024 NATS Art Song Competition Award winner for her song cycle, “Sea Creatures,” Goble is an increasingly international name in classical music composition. With works such as “Whaling Women” (2022) and “Meow and Forever” (2023), Goble’s music enriches the reimagined narrative, offering audiences a fresh perspective on “Die schöne Müllerin.”
“The Miller’s Daughter” will be presented as a chamber opera featuring a score for piano trio and four voices plus ISU Opera Studio chorus. Starring soprano Erickson as The Miller’s Daughter, tenor Mario Arevalo as The Wanderer, baritone Craig Irvin as The Hunter, and baritone Chad Sonka as The Miller, this innovative opera promises to be a contemporary homage to the legendary Schubert while centering a female narrative.
“We are thrilled to present the world premiere of ‘The Miller’s Daughter’ after a well-received preview at the Reaktorhalle Concert Hall in Munich, Germany,” Erickson said. “This project represents a bold exploration of German romanticism, reimagining a beloved work for contemporary audiences while honoring the artistry of the original composition. We invite classical music enthusiasts and newcomers to join us for this unforgettable story of unrequited love and a woman’s autonomy.”
In addition to the live performance, the concert will be livestreamed through the Martha Ellen-Tye Recital Hall webcast.
Tickets are $5 and will be available for purchase at the door (cash/check only) 30 minutes prior to the concert.
For more information and updates, contact the Iowa State Department of Music and Theatre at musicinfo@iastate.edu.