> “In 2015, an opera opened about me and Justice Antonin Scalia. It’s called ‘Scalia/Ginsburg.’ The composer, Derrick Wang, has degrees in music from Harvard and Yale. Enrolled in law school, he was reading dueling opinions by me and Justice Scalia and decided he could compose an appealing comic opera from them.”
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> — Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Bader Ginsburg spoke these words with evident pride and amusement. The late Supreme Court Justice reflected on an unusual artistic tribute. The “in 2015, an opera opened about me and quote origin” story captures something remarkable about American jurisprudence. Two justices with opposing philosophies maintained deep mutual respect and friendship.
Derrick Wang created something unprecedented when in 2015, an opera opened about me and the Justice. The young composer attended law school while pursuing his musical passions. He studied dueling Supreme Court opinions as part of his coursework. However, instead of seeing dry legal arguments, Wang discovered dramatic potential waiting to be transformed into art.
The contrasting judicial philosophies fascinated him deeply. Scalia championed originalism and textualism in his interpretations. Meanwhile, Ginsburg advocated for a living Constitution approach. Their written disagreements contained passion, wit, and intellectual rigor. Wang recognized these elements could translate beautifully to opera.
Moreover, their personal friendship added another layer to the production. The two justices disagreed professionally but shared genuine affection. They attended operas together regularly throughout their careers. Their families celebrated New Year’s Eve as a tradition. This juxtaposition of conflict and camaraderie provided perfect operatic material.
Ginsburg discussed the opera in various interviews and public appearances throughout her later years. She spoke about it with evident delight and frequently referenced the “in 2015, an opera opened about me and quote origin” story. The Justice attended the premiere performance herself. Subsequently, she became an enthusiastic ambassador for the production.
She referenced Wang’s educational background deliberately in her remarks about this project. His Harvard and Yale music degrees established credibility for the work. Additionally, his law school enrollment explained how he discovered the source material. Ginsburg wanted audiences to understand this wasn’t a novelty piece. Instead, a serious artist with legal knowledge created it.
The Justice repeated this quote in multiple settings and contexts. She shared it during speeches at universities across the country. Furthermore, she mentioned it in media interviews where the “in 2015, an opera opened about me and quote origin” narrative resonated with audiences. Each retelling emphasized her appreciation for the tribute. Clearly, the opera meant something special to her.
Ginsburg and Scalia served together on the Supreme Court for decades. Their judicial philosophies couldn’t have differed more dramatically. Yet their friendship transcended ideological divisions completely.
They first met in the 1980s on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Both served in this influential court during formative years. Their families bonded over shared cultural interests immediately. Opera particularly united them as a passion. They attended performances together regularly throughout their careers.
This friendship developed during increasingly partisan times in American history. American politics grew more polarized each decade. However, Ginsburg and Scalia demonstrated civility remained possible. They proved intellectual opponents could maintain personal warmth.
The Opera That Started It All
Their relationship offered lessons about democracy itself and human connection. Disagreement doesn’t require personal animosity between individuals. Furthermore, engaging with opposing viewpoints strengthens arguments substantially. Both justices credited their debates with sharpening their thinking.
Wang drew directly from Supreme Court opinions for his libretto and musical structure. He extracted actual language from their written decisions. Consequently, the opera features real legal arguments set to music. This approach created authenticity rarely seen in biographical works.
The composer structured the opera around their contrasting judicial philosophies intentionally. Scalia’s arias emphasize constitutional originalism and textualism. Meanwhile, Ginsburg’s songs advocate for evolving constitutional interpretation. Their musical debates mirror their real courtroom disagreements.
However, Wang also highlighted their friendship throughout the performance. Lighter scenes show them attending opera together in New York. These moments provide emotional balance and humanize the justices. The production celebrates both conflict and connection beautifully.
The premiere took place in Virginia and received critical acclaim immediately. Critics praised Wang’s innovative approach to operatic storytelling. Subsequently, other companies produced the work across the country. The opera found audiences nationwide and continues drawing spectators today.
Ginsburg told this story consistently across her various public appearances. The core facts remained unchanged throughout her retellings. However, she occasionally added different details depending on context and audience. Sometimes she emphasized Wang’s musical credentials more prominently. Other times she focused on the legal content and constitutional arguments.
Media coverage amplified the story significantly in arts and legal circles. Journalists found the concept irresistible and culturally significant. An opera about Supreme Court justices seemed almost absurd conceptually. Yet the genuine friendship between Scalia and Ginsburg made it compelling. News outlets covered the premiere extensively and repeatedly.
Some retellings simplified the narrative for broader audiences. They focused primarily on the friendship angle. Nevertheless, the opera itself contains substantial legal content throughout. Wang didn’t create mere entertainment or novelty. He crafted serious musical commentary on constitutional interpretation.
Public fascination grew with each retelling of the “in 2015, an opera opened about me and quote origin” narrative. People loved the human dimension underlying the story. The tale reminded Americans that civility transcends politics. Furthermore, it showed intellectual life enriches personal relationships deeply.
This quote reveals Ginsburg’s values profoundly and authentically. She appreciated artistic excellence above superficial entertainment. Moreover, she valued intellectual engagement across ideological lines consistently. The opera embodied both principles simultaneously.
Her pride in the tribute is palpable throughout her comments. She mentions Wang’s impressive credentials first in the quote. This establishes the opera’s artistic legitimacy immediately. Then she explains his unique position as law student. This detail shows why he could understand the material deeply.
In 2015 an Opera Opened About Me
The quote also demonstrates her sense of humor about honors and tributes. An opera about Supreme Court justices sounds absurd initially. However, Ginsburg embraced the unconventional tribute wholeheartedly. She recognized the deeper meaning behind it.
Furthermore, the quote promotes civic values essential to democracy itself. It suggests democracy thrives on respectful disagreement between thoughtful people. Scalia and Ginsburg modeled this principle consistently. Their example inspired Wang’s artistic vision and creativity.
Ginsburg spoke often about Scalia after his death with warmth and affection. She called him her “best buddy” on the Court consistently. Additionally, she said he made her a better justice through their debates. Their disagreements forced her to strengthen arguments significantly.
Scalia reciprocated these sentiments during his lifetime enthusiastically. He praised Ginsburg’s intellect and writing ability regularly. Moreover, he enjoyed their friendship immensely in personal interactions. Both justices valued what they shared beyond the courtroom.
Another famous Ginsburg quote captures their dynamic perfectly and memorably. She said Scalia was “a jurist of captivating brilliance and wit.” Furthermore, she noted his “talent to make even the most sober judge laugh.” These words reveal genuine affection.
She also reflected on their opera attendance together in interviews. “We were best buddies,” she explained to audiences repeatedly. The shared cultural experiences cemented their bond beyond professional respect. Music and art transcended their legal disagreements.
This quote encapsulates several Ginsburg principles about law and life. First, it shows her commitment to intellectual rigor. She respected Scalia’s arguments even when disagreeing fundamentally. Furthermore, she believed engagement with opposing views strengthened democracy.
Second, it reveals her love of the arts and culture. Opera particularly mattered to her personal fulfillment. She attended performances throughout her entire life. The art form enriched her existence beyond law and courtrooms.
Third, the quote demonstrates her belief in civility and respectful discourse. Political opponents can maintain friendships genuinely. Indeed, they should do so whenever possible. Personal relationships humanize abstract debates.
Finally, it shows her sense of humor about herself and achievements. Ginsburg could laugh at unconventional tributes. An opera featuring her Supreme Court opinions amused rather than offended her. This humility endeared her to millions worldwide.
Today, this quote resonates powerfully in divisive times. American political discourse has grown increasingly toxic and polarized. People demonize those with different views routinely. However, Ginsburg and Scalia modeled an alternative approach.
How This Quote Changed Popular Culture
Their example offers hope for current divisions and partisan conflict. Disagreement doesn’t require hatred between individuals. Furthermore, friendship across ideological lines remains possible today. The opera celebrates this principle through art and music.
Educators use this story in civics lessons nationwide regularly. Students learn about respectful debate and intellectual engagement. Moreover, they discover that complexity enriches democracy. Simple partisan narratives miss important nuances.
The opera itself continues touring and reaching new audiences. New audiences discover Wang’s creation regularly at performances. Each performance reinforces the message about civility. Democracy needs both disagreement and mutual respect.
Ginsburg’s quote about the opera endures powerfully beyond her lifetime. It captures something essential about American democracy. Our system requires vigorous debate continuously. However, it also needs human connection and civility.
The Scalia/Ginsburg friendship became legendary throughout American culture. Their example inspired countless Americans to reconsider civility. People recognized that conviction and respect can coexist. Furthermore, personal warmth enhances rather than undermines principled disagreement.
Wang’s opera preserves this legacy artistically for future generations. Future audiences will encounter their story through music. The production ensures their example continues inspiring viewers. Art immortalizes what matters most.
Moreover, Ginsburg’s evident pride in the tribute reveals her character authentically. She embraced an unconventional honor enthusiastically. This openness to artistic interpretation showed remarkable humility. Great figures welcome creative engagement with their work.
The quote reminds us that democracy is fundamentally human in nature. Legal arguments matter enormously in governance. However, the people behind those arguments matter too. Ginsburg and Scalia understood this profoundly. Their friendship enriched both their lives and American jurisprudence.
In conclusion, the “in 2015, an opera opened about me and quote origin” narrative opens windows into multiple worlds. It reveals judicial philosophy, personal friendship, and artistic creativity. Furthermore, it offers lessons desperately needed today. We can disagree passionately while respecting deeply. Indeed, democracy depends on exactly this balance.
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