How punk rock and MTV inspired opera composer Missy Mazzoli

Missy Mazzoli is set to bring her opera “Lincoln in the Bardo” to the Metropolitan Opera in New York, debuting the work on one of the world’s biggest stages. The 45-year-old composer will become the first woman to have an opera premiered by the Met in its 143-year history. Her path to opera was anything but straight: as a child she began writing music after her parents bought a piano at a flea market, and she also played in punk bands. Mazzoli credits punk’s emotional directness and MTV for broadening her imagination. The opera, based on George Saunders’ novel, centers on President Lincoln coping with the death of his 11-year-old son Willie. Production elements include elaborate costumes, puppetry, special effects, and a large horse. Lyrics are by Royce Vavrek.