National Endowment for the Arts FY 2017 Fall Grant Announcement

prisoner, from death. In 1814, after the Napoleonic invasions in Germany and Austria, Beethoven revised the
work, which led to the creation of the final (and most well-known) version, "Fidelio." Widely recognized as a
major artistic testament to human freedom, the opera celebrates the triumph of love and perseverance over
terror and, and addresses themes of political persecution, social injustice, personal sacrifice, heroism, freedom,
feminism, and gender inequality. The creative team may include composer Antony Walker, soprano Marjorie
Owen in the title role, soprano Celena Shafer, and heldentenor Simon O'Neill. One performance will take place
at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium in the spring of 2017.
Washington National Opera (aka WNO)
$60,000 Washington, DC
To support performances of "Champion" by composer Terence Blanchard and librettist Michael Cristofer and a
new production "Dead Man Walking" by composer Jake Heggie and librettist Terrence McNally. These works will
continue the organization's initiative to engage the local community by producing innovative works that address
contemporary social issues in America. "Champion" – a two-act, jazz-infused opera written by Grammy Awardwinning
composer Terence Blanchard and Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-winning librettist Michael
Cristofer – focuses on the life of welterweight boxer Emile Griffith and explores the meaning of sexual identity
and the challenges that gay and lesbian individuals face in modern-day America. "Dead Man Walking" – based
on the nonfiction book by Sister Helen Prejean and the 1995 film of the same name – is set in 1980s Louisiana.
The story follows the relationship between a condemned killer on death row (Joseph De Rocher) and the nun
(Sister Helen) who supports him, and will examine the morality of the death penalty and the complexity of
forgiveness.
Some details of the projects listed are subject to change, contingent upon prior Arts Endowment approval. Information is current as of
December 7, 2016.