Earlier this fall, Opera Philadelphia played host to the world premiere of “10 Days in a Madhouse,” from composer Rene Orth with a libretto by playwright Hannah Moscovitch. The opera retold the story of Nellie Bly, who, in 1887, wrote about the inhumane conditions at an all-female asylum on Blackwell’s Island in New York City. The performance used an acoustic orchestra and electronics to represent the balance between sane and insane, and Germantown Academy Assistant Band Director, Percussion Instructor, and MS General Music teacher DeLane Doyle was one of the musicians involved in helping create that unique effect.  

Doyle said that last spring he got information about the opportunity from a friend that he met at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. The dates did not work for her, so she mentioned Doyle as someone who was available. He did a week-long workshop in March with Opera Philadelphia and performed with the group in all five shows. 

"I think the opera was looking for somebody that has the rhythmic capabilities of a percussionist and is able to read the score in that way," Doyle said. "I also think they wanted somebody who was comfortable with Ableton Live, the software that we're using to process the vocals, which I have worked with a lot on my own." 

Doyle further explained how it was his first time working with Opera Philadelphia, and how he was using live vocal effects on two characters, Nellie and Lizzie. Doyle said that he has done his own improvisational work processing instruments and vocals, but he never had to play on time, so adding the technical elements were tricky. Despite the challenges, he said the experience was a memorable one.

“It’s really good music,” Doyle said. “Seeing musicians at this level work together to create something new is really cool. I’ve been a part of world premieres before, but it’s cool to see something as large scale as an opera be put together for the first time. I’m truly appreciative of the scope of the project from the libretto, the music, the costumes, the staging, there are so many elements that bring it together. I’d love to do it again and I’d love to see the piece performed again somewhere else and get some mileage.”