Oblivion explores themes of escaping oneself through forgetting and the value of seeking redemption, a concept rooted in the composer's Catholic upbringing.
Composer Biography
Composer John Aylward grew up in the Sonoran Desert, on the border of Arizona and Mexico, in a household with an immigrant mother who was a World War II refugee.
Composer's Artistic Vision
A central question in Oblivion is whether remembering one's past brings knowledge or pain, mirroring Dante's experience with the river Lethe in Purgatory.
Composer Biography
John Aylward's music is influenced by his early life experiences, including a deep sense of community, converging cultural histories, and the unique landscapes of the desert.
Recording & Production
This recording of Oblivion was made at the Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity in Florence, Massachusetts, between June 25th and 30th, 2022.
Composer's Artistic Vision
John Aylward's opera, Oblivion, features two Wanderers, characters loosely based on the first-person narrator of Dante's Purgatory, who confront allegorical figures.
Composition History
John Aylward refined and revised the story of Oblivion over two years of tumultuous world history, which led him to explore his own past and religious upbringing.
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