Looks like LCF is taking more risks. George Benjamin’s “Into the Little Hill,” a 40 minute chamber opera for two singers based on the tale of the Pied Piper, sounds pretty hot.

But you know with Lincoln Center, what sounds like a good idea can turn terribly wrong faster than you can say Midsummer Night Swing.

In this NY Times preview, there’s no mention of what the music actually sounds like. (We don’t know Mr. Benjamin’s work.) But the article mentions influences like Webern, Berg, Debussy and Messiaen, but then is quick to lampoon any suspicion that the music will sound serial. (Are we still afraid of serialism?)

Well, we listened to an sample of Viola, Viola from the Lincoln Center Festival website, and the music sounds pretty hot, actually. And you all know how picky we can be.