Ricky Ian Gordon: Seeing Through

Crushing Classical

When an art song and opera composer writes a memoir, what does that process look like? Does mastery in one creative realm translate to another? How is an aria like a story?

I just loved this deep and passionate conversation with Ricky Ian Gordon, author of the new memoir SEEING THROUGH: A Chronicle of Sex, Drugs, and Opera.

Ricky Ian Gordon was born in Oceanside, NY and raised on Long Island. After studying piano, composition, and acting, at Carnegie Mellon University, he settled in New York City, where he quickly emerged as a leading writer of vocal music that spans art song, opera, and musical theater. Gordon’s songs have been performed and recorded by Renée Fleming, Dawn Upshaw, Nathan Gunn, Judy Collins, Kelli O’Hara, Audra MacDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, and many others. His works include Dream True, Orpheus and Euridice, Green Sneakers for Baritone, String Quartet, Empty Chair, and Piano, The Grapes of Wrath, and Intimate Apparel. His memoir SEEING THROUGH: A Chronicle of Sex, Drugs, and Opera was published in July 2024.

Check out the book here or follow Ricky at his website, or @rickyiangordon on X and Instagram.

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