The Hermitage Artist Retreat in collaboration with the American Opera Projects (AOP), a developer of new operatic and musical theater works with young and aspiring artists in New York City, have announced the recipients of the first annual Opera Genesis Fellowships: composer Mikael Karlsson and librettist and visual designer Elle Kunnos de Voss. To be presented every year to graduates of AOP's composer and voice program, recipients will be given a six-week residency at the Hermitage campus to work on their newest opera production and/or concept. 

"The Hermitage was in discussions with AOP for many months before announcing this partnership," says Bruce E. Rodgers, executive director of the Hermitage. "Seeing the program come into being with the announcement of the first recipients is very exciting. We exist to inspire and assist artists in the creation of new work. AOP takes it to the next level so that work can be presented to the public."

Karlsson and Kunnos de Voss are young and successful artists in their respective fields. Both hail from New York City by way of Sweden and will be collaborating on their newest work, "The Echo Drift," while residing at the Hermitage.