Intriguing. I knew Annie Proulx had given her approval for the opera, but I had no idea she was actually collaborating in this way. When the news of the Opera came out a while ago, there was a big discussion on the topic of BBM as an Opera or musical. I thought, and still do, that the story has enormous potential as either. In a musical setting each character would express their innermost thoughts and feelings to the audience. Each character would have their own theme. Ennis's internal conflict has incredible possibility and potential for expression in lyric and music. So does Jack's yearning. I guess what makes BBM a better subject for and Opera rather than a musical is it's tragedy. Musicals usually have a happy uplifting ending leaving the audience with a smile as they leave the theater. Of course there are exceptions like "West Side Story", which is based on Shakespeare's tragedy "Romeo and Juliet". I wonder though, since BBM is set in the American West, if the Opera will have a "Western" sound? I don't think that's been done!