Artemisia, Schwendinger & Strand. Winner of the American Academy of Arts and Letters 2023 Charles Ives Opera award.

Artemisia, an opera about Artemisia Gentileschi, by Laura Schwendinger and Ginger Strand, is the 2023 winner of The American Academy of Arts and Letters Charles Ives Opera award. Featuring Augusta Caso, with Heather Buck, Christopher Burchett and Richard Troxell. 

Artemisia was tortured with thumbcrews in the trial to verify her testimony against her rapist Augustino Tassi. Music by Laura Schwendinger with libretto by Ginger Strand, Artemisia tells the story of the Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi, one of the greatest painters of her generation and an important follower of Caravaggio. With Christopher Alden - stage director and Lidiya Yankovskaya - conductor. Premiere with Trinity NOVUS at St. Paul's Chapel, Time's Arrow Festival.

In an orchestral version, March 7/9, 2019. St. Paul's Chapel, Trinity NOVUS NY and Jun 1/2 Z Space, San Francisco [chamber premiere]; LeftCoast Proves Great Opera Needn’t Be Grand, “Artemisia is sumptuous on every level……a breathtaking piece.” OperaWire “..casts its spell..awakens us...riveting”

In NY Times review “Artemisia” lasts just 80 minutes, but fits in big themes set to music of quivering intensity. The story of the rape is there, blended with Gentileschi’s unbearably compassionate painting of the biblical character Susanna, who was ogled and shamed in her bath. But larger questions of idea and form, image and projection, sight and gaze also find nuanced and intelligent treatment. CORINNA da FONSECA-WOLLHEIM

Entire Cast

Heather Buck – Susanna

Augusta Caso – Artemisia Gentileschi

Oliver Mercer – Agostino Tassi/Elder 1

Christopher Burchett – Cosimo di Medici/Elder 2

Richard Troxell – Tomasso/Oculist

Creative Team

Laura Schwendinger – composer

Ginger Strand - librettist

Christopher Alden - stage director

Lidiya Yankovskaya - conductor

James Smith - assistant director