Stargazer focuses on the historical figure Galileo Galilei, whose scientific observations about the universe became one of the biggest controversies in history. His views were denounced as heretical. Under threat of torture, he recanted before the Inquisition in 1633. During this period, Galileo’s daughter Maria Celeste wrote letters to him from her convent. Four centuries later, we still play out the drama between those who seek and those who save – with most of us caught in the middle.
The opera was originally presented at All Pilgrim’s Church in Seattle, WA in 2006, and included direction by Ken Cerniglia and set and costumes by Alan Maskin, both of whom are long-time collaborators. In creating this recording, however, Fisher's aim was not to make an audio representation of that performance; instead, he wanted to create a piece that could exist entirely as a recording.
The recording features: Eric Mentzel (Galileo), Linda Strandberg (Galileo's daughter), Dennis Kleinsmith (a Cardinal), David Stutz (chorus leader), Taina Karr (oboe), Mary Riles (cello), Dean Moore & Stan Shikuma (percussion), Garrett Fisher (Indian harmonium).
