Modernist Landmark with the American Modern Opera Company
October 25th Concert in a Landmark, Westport Saturday, 4:00 pm at the newly restored UU Church, Westport, CT.
The Glass House invites you to the second annual Concert in a Landmark — an immersive evening of contemporary music set within one of our region’s architectural treasures. This fall, we gather for a performance by renowned pianist Matthew Aucoin and tenor Paul Appleby of AMOC* (American Modern Opera Company) in the remarkable sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Westport, Connecticut, a 1965 masterwork by architect Victor Lundy (1923–2024). Appleby and Aucoin will perform works by John Adams, Aucoin, Bejamin Britten, and Franz Schubert.
Nestled in the woods, this soaring modernist structure—celebrated for its sweeping roofline, luminous walls of glass, and reverent connection to the natural landscape—offers a transcendent setting for live performance. Known for his expressive and sculptural approach to architecture, Lundy trained under Walter Gropius at Harvard and helped define the Sarasota School of Architecture, bringing lyrical innovation to mid-century design.
The building is currently being restored sensitively by Goody Clancy Architects and is set to fully reopen in Fall 2025. Join us for this rare opportunity to experience music in a space where architecture and acoustics come together in perfect harmony.
Matthew Aucoin is an American composer, conductor, writer, pianist, and a 2018 MacArthur Fellow. In recent seasons, his music has been performed by artists ranging from Yo-Yo Ma to the Philadelphia Orchestra, and commissioned by institutions including the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, and the Ojai Music Festival. He is a co-founder of the American Modern Opera Company.
Paul Appleby is one of the most sought-after voices of his generation. He graces the stages of the world’s most distinguished concert halls and opera houses and collaborates with leading orchestras, instrumentalists, and conductors. He is a founding core member of the American Modern Opera Company.
American Modern Opera Company (AMOC*) is a groundbreaking collective of instrumentalists, vocalists, composers, dancers, writers, directors, and choreographers. Founded in 2017 by Aucoin and Zack Winokur, AMOC* artists pool their resources to create new pathways that connect creators and audiences in surprising and visceral ways. The group has focused on thoughtful, interdisciplinary projects that range from evening-length stagings of song cycles to newly produced choreographies of instrumental music. In 2025, AMOC* made its Lincoln Center debut, featuring more than 100 artists in 10 New York premieres across 12 productions, all commissioned and produced by AMOC* with its artists and partners.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport is a diverse and welcoming religious community, free of creed and dogma, and open to people of all backgrounds and beliefs. They inspire and support individual spiritual growth; connect through worship, music, learning, and caring ministries; and act in the service of peace and justice.
Glass House Presents is an ongoing series of talks, performances, and other live events that extend the site’s historic role as a gathering place for artists, architects, and other creative minds.
American Modern Opera Company
Link and tickets: https://theglasshouse.org/whats-on/american-modern-opera-company/