"The opera itself was an intoxicating experience: a new American work that set out to honor both its source material."
Behold! An Operatic Miracle↗
Jesse Green · The New York Times
What the Critics Say
Press & Reviews
From its Nashville premiere to its Grammy-winning recording, Elmer Gantry has drawn praise as one of the most compelling American operas of the 21st century.
"The new show uses gospel, folk and classical music to tell the story of the rise and fall of the evangelist Elmer Gantry in early 20th-century America."
Opera: 'Elmer Gantry'↗
The Wall Street Journal
"I had the best damn time I've had at any new opera in years. It's not just that Elmer Gantry is masterfully crafted; it 'lands.' It works, brilliantly, as theater."
Elmer Gantry vs. An American Tragedy: Grass-Roots vs. Trickle-Down Opera↗
Mark N. Grant · NewMusicBox
"I've never seen an audience react to a new opera the way that one did. I had to do it. It was a gut instinct, but I've never been so sure of anything in my life."
— William Florescu, Florentine Opera General Director
The Florentine Stages Elmer Gantry, an All-American Opera↗
Tom Strini · Urban Milwaukee
"It is an honest and finely assembled piece that makes a strong case for itself. The same cannot necessarily be said for many American operas of the last decades with higher profiles."
Elmer Gantry the Opera↗
Chris Mullins · Opera Today
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Two Grammy Awards
Elmer Gantry won Best Contemporary Classical Composition and Best Engineered Album, Classical at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards (2012).