The opera opens on Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn playing Scrabble in heaven to learn that Classical Music is dead. The great classical masters return to earth in search of musicologist Charles Rosen to get him to change the message. In this scene, a Tonicchord, a Subdominant chord, and a Dominant chord walk into a bar...Tonic is, of course, the center of attention, and sings the ultimate "it's all about me" comic ode to himself. Jeremy Denk's brilliant madcap libretto and Steven Stucky's delightfully witty and dramatic score make The Classical Style an opera (of sorts) that celebrates, entertains, and stimulates. The story line and musical references make The Classical Style charming for all audiences, and extra special for those well-versed in the classical style. -the publisher