Composer's Biography
Nancy Van de Vate is known worldwide for her music in the large forms
 

Composer's Comments
The problem for composers who don’t have a major publisher is that when we die, so do our works

Production History
With programs, photographs, reviews and other pertinent information

The Illinois State University Production
Watch the entire ISU production on eOneill.tv

Complete Work
Download the full score, libretto, vocal score, and orchestral parts for evaluation and production

Born in the United States and now living permanently in Vienna, Austria, Nancy Van de Vate is known worldwide for her music in the large forms. In January 2005, her new chamber opera, Where the Cross is Made, was selected by the National Opera Association as the winner of its international biennial competition for new chamber operas.

With Ms. Van de Vate's permission and encouragement, the complete operatic work, including full score, libretto, vocal score and orchestral parts, can be downloaded for study, research and performance. We welcome your interest in performing this work and preserving the composer’s legacy for future generations. All public performances are allowed and encouraged.

Fanfare Magazine, March 2008
Lynn René Bayley

Nancy Van de Vate (is) without question one of the most talented and sheerly original composers of our time… Cross is a masterpiece, building in rhythm, harmony and melody through an almost unbroken wave of sound initiated by a syncopated figure and propelling the opera to its inexorable conclusion.... Van de Vate builds her scenes in an almost unbroken line from start to finish… (She) creates emotional soundscapes through simple yet effective building blocks of sound… Aria, arioso, sung recitative and duet flow seamlessly into each other… Despite her deft use of effects, it is not a work that dwells on or insists on them. The music "follows" the words, like the best lieder. The arias in this work are dovetailed seamlessly, as they are in late Verdi or (perhaps a better comparison) Debussy. If you enter her sound world with an open mind and heart, you will find yourself drawn in-and you will stay there 'til the very end.

All in all… a superb piece of music.