R.B. Schlather & Roddy Bottum: The Future of Opera

“The Future of Opera: Sasquatch, Rip Van Winkle and Chosen Families”

Conversation about the intersections of the underground world of art and the old world of opera between Opera Director / Artist R.B. Schlather and Musician Roddy Bottum. Opera was created 100s of years ago as an artistic experiment of the European elite, but after speaking to RB and Roddy we find ourselves wondering if it could stand to benefit from being reclaimed by local communities and the underworld. From DIY dioramas and pen pal projects, to mutual understanding about queer solitude, we may wonder what world would not benefit from such creativity?

In honor of Pride Month and our commitment to artistic subcultures, we celebrate these two independent and innovative artists on this Basilica Conversation Podcast.

The song played at the end of the episode is "Stohner" from Roddy Bottum & Joey Holman's project MAN ON MAN.

About Basilica Hudson
Founded in 2010 by Melissa Auf der Maur and Tony Stone, Basilica Hudson is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts center located in Hudson N.Y. that aims to foster a more sustainable community, ecology and economy through advocacy and innovative multidisciplinary programming. Housed in a reclaimed solar-powered 1880s industrial factory on the riverfront in Hudson, NY,  Basilica Hudson supports the creation, production and presentation of independent arts and culture, and strives to forge experiences that aspire to the scale, grit and beauty of its surroundings. Follow Basilica Hudson on all platforms @basilicahudson