WHAT BELONGS TO YOU | THAT ERIC ALPER - REVIEW

David T. Little Unveils New Video From Award-Winning Opera ‘What Belongs To You’

A powerful love story continues to find new life beyond the stage. Composer David T. Little has released the official video for “It Must Have Been Summer,” drawn from the world premiere recording of his acclaimed opera ‘What Belongs to You’, based on Garth Greenwell’s celebrated novel.

Released through Bright Shiny Things, the recording captures the original 2024 world premiere production and features GRAMMY-winning tenor Karim Sulayman alongside the GRAMMY-winning ensemble Alarm Will Sound under the direction of Alan Pierson. The opera has already earned major recognition, winning the 2025 MCANA Award for Best New Opera ahead of its New York premiere in spring 2027.

Adapted by Little from Greenwell’s novel, ‘What Belongs to You’ follows an American English teacher living in Sofia, Bulgaria, whose relationship with a sex worker named Mitko forces him to confront desire, memory and the lingering trauma of his past. The work blends intimate storytelling with a richly layered score that draws inspiration from composers including Claudio Monteverdi, John Dowland and Franz Schubert.

Rather than simply accompanying the story, the music becomes a character of its own. Throughout the opera, Alarm Will Sound shifts between orchestra and dramatic participant, while Little’s score uses centuries of musical history to deepen the emotional landscape and illuminate the characters’ inner lives.

The release of “It Must Have Been Summer” offers another opportunity to experience one of contemporary opera’s most celebrated recent works. With its world premiere recording now available and a New York staging on the horizon, ‘What Belongs to You’ continues to reach new audiences through both its music and its striking visual storytelling.