Actorsknowabout“fallingup“asplit-secondignitionfromthewings,propellingentranceasanewcharacter,anunwilledascenttoadifferentmodeofbeing,anin-bodyexperiencethatoverlayspreparation,opportunity,choice,orchance.FallingUp,thefirstandonlyfull-lengthFloydstudy,isametaphorforhumanity’suncannyabilitytorisefromseemingdisasterintorebirth.Floyd’sconsistentsuccessionofsoars,stumbles,slides,orwrenchessingsoftriumphoverodds.AmodernRenaissanceman,Floydisourgreatestlivingoperacomposerandlibrettist,atrainedconcertpianist,amasterstagedirector,andateacher.InFallingUp,Hollidayoffersanintimateaccountofthelifethatshapedthewordsandmusic.CombininginsightsfromhundredsofinterviewswithFloyd,hisfamily,andmanyofthelasthalf-century’sgreatestsingers,conductors,andoperaadministrators,FallingUptracesFloyd’sSouthernrootsandthestrugglesandsacrificesthataccompaniedhisrisetooperaticstardom.Withmorethanfortyphotographs,thedetailedevolutionofFloyd’sfourteenoperas,andin-depthanalysisofhisnonoperaticworks,FallingUpisessentialreadingforoperafansandprofessionalsalike,abookthatmoves,informs,andentertains.
