In a recent article, the New York Times profiles a group of contemporary composers who have found refuge in children’s opera

Composers have found an unexpected refuge in children’s opera after years of working within the constraints of academic modernism.

Composers describe the experience as “liberating,” but not for the reason you might expect.

Western composition took an abrupt turn away from its historical trajectory in the early 20th century .

Composers describe the experience of writing opera for children as liberating’ Composers have discovered that children’s opera is the only place where they are allowed to write music that people actually want to hear.

In the world of serious composition, melody and accessibility are still suspect.