JOHN LIBERATORE
composer

Commissioned by the American Opera Initiative of the Washington National Opera.

Dramatis Personae:

Mr. Kamran Mohem..............................a wealthy Iranian-American in his early 50’s
(Bass: F2 to F4)

Mrs. Parisa Mohem...............................Mr. Mohem’s wife in her late 40’s
(Mezzo-Soprano: A3 to F#5)

Roxana Lieber........................................an artist about to be 30
(Soprano C4 to C6)

Arezoo.....................................................the Mohems’ maid in her mid-30’s
(Mezzo-Soprano: B3 to F5)


Time and place:  Now in Silicon Valley. Mini mansion of the Mohems in Atherton or environs. The scene happens in the large, high-ceilinged, and well-lit living room, adjacent to the dining room where lunch would be served.

Synopsis: The Mohems are an Iranian American couple who enjoy an affluent life in Silicon Valley because of Mr. Mohem's success in venture capitalism. The two have recently purchased a large painting by Roxana Lieber, an emerging young artist they invite to lunch at their mansion. While discussing the painting, Roxana reveals her subject behind what appears to be just an abstract landscape--one that offends Mr. Mohem. As dormant differences erupt between Mr. and Mrs. Mohem, Roxana struggles with her own feelings about art and finds an unlikely sympathizer in the Mohems' newly immigrated maid.