Prepositions and the Names of Fish

When New York City Opera toured Japan a few years back with Madama Butterfly and Little Women, Matthew Price, the tour’s organizer, informed me that, in any language, the two parts of speech most difficult to translate are —my God, you’re uncanny!—prepositions and the names of fish; and I immediately promised, someday, to write a piece with that title.    Hence, my wee scherzo for Cabrillo, to celebrate the great Marin Alsop‘s twentieth year as leader of that indispensable festival: I’m delighted to be included in some very distinguished company.  The Times takes note, and takes names, here.