He prepared the parts for "The Grapes of Wrath"
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
To prepare for the premiere of "The Grapes of Wrath," Ricky Ian Gordon's full score for the opera had to be broken down into individual parts for the orchestra musicians, the conductor and the singers. That's a job for a music preparer, someone behind the scenes who takes one voice at a time from a complicated score and makes it legible for one musician at a time.
Bill Holab is one of the best in the field. He's arranged and prepared music for years with the Chicago publishing house G. Schirmer and now on his own with his company, Bill Holab Music. His client list includes prominent contemporary composers like Michael Torke and Osvaldo Golijov. Classical Music Host Alison Young spoke with Bill Holab while he was in St. Paul for the Minnesota Opera premiere of "The Grapes of Wrath."
Support Local News
When breaking news happens, MPR News provides the context you need. Help us meet the significant demands of these newsgathering efforts.