Bonnie Lander’s Coping Mechanisms is an improvised opera designed specifically for performers without a background in improvisation. The work functions not only as an artistic experiment but also as a hybrid space where pedagogy and creative practice intersect, offering opera singers a method of expression that integrates personal agency with ensemble responsiveness.

Throughout the practical process, Lander proposes several key strategies to help performers navigate the unfamiliar territory of improvisation. Central to her approach is the idea of “freedom within limitation”, in which improvisation is guided by parameters such as emotional tone, rhythmic structure, movement prompts, or fragments of text. Performers are not expected to abandon classical technique; rather, they are encouraged to merge their vocal training with spontaneous, sensory responsiveness. Workshop sessions focus on developing comfort with non-verbal vocalization, recurring motifs, and the synchronization of physical gesture with vocal output, helping singers discover a foundation for authentic expression.

In terms of accompaniment, Coping Mechanisms breaks away from the traditional hierarchical relationship between orchestra and singer. Instead, the accompaniment becomes an active partner in real-time interaction. Musicians are encouraged to respond to the singers’ phrasing, energy, and gestures using extended techniques, non-traditional instruments, noise textures, and looping structures. This results in a dynamic, multi-dimensional sonic environment co-created by all participants.

Coping Mechanisms provides not only a pathway for classical singers to engage in improvisation but also a replicable model for collaborative creation.