Gertrude Stein sings in new opera in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS: It is a brilliant idea to write an opera about Gertrude Stein. It is an even more brilliant idea to write it for the powerhouse contralto Stephanie Blythe. If ever there were a historical figure who can burst into full-throated song without apparent contradition, it's Stein; and Blythe is a singer with Stein's larger-than-life presence, thanks to a majestic, magnetic, powerful voice that makes you take notice. Ricky Ian Gordon and Royce Vavrek have written such an opera, called "27," ...