Michigan Opera Theatre

Opera Spotlight: A View from the Bridge at Michigan Opera Theatre
Grosse Pointe Music Academy Commentary

Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge has found powerful new life as an opera, composed by William Bolcom with a libretto by Miller and Arnold Weinstein. Based on Miller’s 1955 play—which itself drew inspiration from real-life events and the political climate of McCarthyism—the opera tells the tragic story of Eddie Carbone, whose destructive desires unravel his family and community.

The play’s classical structure and Greek-inspired chorus made it especially well-suited for operatic adaptation. Much of the original script was written in verse, allowing for a smoother transition to a musical format. The use of a chorus, as in both Greek drama and opera, provides narrative depth and emotional commentary throughout.

Arthur Miller’s commitment to social commentary through live performance—believing theatre to be a vital space for civic dialogue—is fully realized in this opera. His collaboration with Bolcom and Weinstein helped preserve the integrity of the original while expanding its reach to new audiences.

A View from the Bridge debuted as an opera in 1999 and remains a compelling example of how timeless drama can be reinterpreted through music.

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Shared by Grosse Pointe Music Academy. Learn more about upcoming opera events and music education at michiganopera.org.