Rosemary Schonfeld Debuts First Single from Lesbian Rock Opera

Listen to the first single from the new rock opera concept album titled Sandy and Jean from musician Rosemary Schonfeld. Sandy and Jean is set in the 1980s against the backdrop of Section 28, homophobic legislation introduced by the Tories (Conservative Party) in the U.K. Lesbian or bisexual mothers in the ’80s were in grave danger of losing custody of their children if they divorced their husbands, and gay teachers (of any gender) were at risk of being fired if they publicly “came out.” The insecurity and pressures on gays and lesbians caused this lack of rights, such as healthcare, which led some folks to use heterosexual relationships as protection, denying their true sexuality.

The first single from the album is “Chorus of Friends and Jean,” which is an integral part of the overarching fictional story of “Sandy and Jean.” Musically, the song explores details of the unique kind of discrimination and pressures the queer community faced due to Section 28 in the 1980s, ’90s, and even into the early ’00s.

“Chorus of Friends and Jean” musically explores how lesbian and bisexual mothers in the ’80s were in grave danger of losing custody of their children if they dared to leave their husbands, and the fear gay teachers of any gender had because they were at risk of being fired if they publicly came out.

“Sandy and Jean” attempts to adopt a sympathetic approach towards some of these issues. The characterization of the three main characters, all of whom are queer, is nuanced, incorporating issues of power dynamics, class, and sexual orientation.

Sonically, the entire album is a blend of rock, rap, powerful ballads, and Sprechgesang. Orchestral brass, strings, and percussion join the electric guitar, bass, and insightful lyrics to create the memorable melodies of Sandy and Jean!

You can listen to the single right now on Spotify.