The American Opera Project presents
AOPTV
:
Opera Comes Home
.
APRIL 8, 2020
BROOKLYN, NY - Three World Premiere English-language opera productions are available for livestream on the American Opera Project website,
www.aopopera.org.
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Music and Concept by Laura Kaminsky
Libretto by Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed
Film by Kimberly Reed
September 4-7, 2014
WORLD PREMIERE
BAM Fisher Center, Brooklyn, NY 11217
As One
is a chamber opera by composer Laura Kaminsky, librettist Mark Campbell and librettist/filmmaker Kimberly Reed in which two voices—Hannah after (mezzo-soprano) and Hannah before (baritone)—share the part of a sole transgender protagonist. Fifteen songs comprise the three-part narrative; with empathy and humor, they trace Hannah’s experiences from her youth in a small town to her college years on the West Coast, and finally to Norway where she is surprised at what she learns about herself.
Performances by: Sasha Cooke and Kelly Markgraf
Featuring The Fry Street Quartet
Film by Kimberly Reed
Music Director: by Steven Osgood
Director: Ken Cazan
World Premiere production produced in association with BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music).
Commissioned, Developed, and Produced by The American Opera Project.
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A TRIO OF ONE-ACT OPERAS
Music by Robert Paterson
Libretto by David Cote
June 15, 2017
WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION
BAM Fishman Space, 321 Ashland Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Three Way
is a new opera on the present and future of sex and love comprised of three, playful one-acts.
Three Way
received its 2017 world premiere January 27-29, 2017 at the James K. Polk Theater in a co-production by Nashville Opera and American Opera Projects. The New York premiere followed on June 15-18, 2017 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The opera had developmental support from American Opera Projects’ Composers and the Voice and First Chance programs, Fort Worth Opera’s Frontiers program, Victoria Zielinski, and OPERA America’s Repertoire Development program.
Performances by: Danielle Pastin, Courtney Ruckman, Eliza Bonet, Melisa Bonetti, Jordan Rutter, Samuel Levine, Wes Mason, Matthew Treviño
Featuring the American Modern Ensemble.
Director: John Hoomes
Conductor: Dean Williamson
Stage Manager: Dathan Manning
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WHEN I CROSSED THAT LINE TO FREEDOM
Music and Libretto by Nkeiru Okoye
February 21-March 1, 2014
WORLD PREMIERE
Irondale Center, 85 S Oxford St Brooklyn, NY 11217
HARRIET TUBMAN
is a two act theatrical work that tells of how a young girl born in slavery, becomes Harriet Tubman, the legendary Underground Railroad conductor. Based on recent Tubman biographies, the story is told in the context of Tubman’s tight-knit family of lively characters. HARRIET TUBMAN carries the universal themes of sisterhood, courage, sacrifice and doing what is necessary to keep a family together. Moreover it is a heartwarming tale of two sisters vowing that nothing but death will separate them, despite the slavery threatening to tear them apart.
Performances by: Janinah Burnett, Briana Hunter, Nicole Mitchell, Clinton Ingram, Damian Norfleet, Marsha Thompson, Ernest Jackson, Patrice P. Eaton, Kyle Guglielmo, Anthony P. McGlaun, Brandie Sutton, Hannah Fuerst, Tesia Kwarteng, Christiana Little, Kevin Tucker, Leslie Tay, Ras Dia, Charles D. Carter
Featuring a string quintet from The Harlem Chamber Players
Conductor: Leslie B. Dunner
Stage Director: Lemuel Wade
Assistant Conductor: Mila Henry
Commissioned, Developed, and Produced by The American Opera Project.
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Press for AS ONE:
"As One forces you to think, simultaneously challenging preconceptions and inspiring empathy." —The New York Times
"a transgender story with power, passion ... beautiful lyrical moments... as uplifting as any operatic ending could be.
– Seattle Times
"As One is the hottest title in opera right now, at least among the titles written in the last 100 years. … An accomplished bit of art-making, with considerable entertainment value, that thrusts itself smack into the current political and social discourse." – The Denver Post
“inspiring and groundbreaking, innovative yet relatable” – Seattle Weekly
Press for THREE WAY:
“An intriguing treatise on power, passion and human connection... Highly accessible! Cote has an obvious gift for humor, yet there also are moments of genuine tenderness. Paterson’s music is mesmerizing, beautifully supporting the story... Paterson’s music is rich and vibrant—Cote’s libretto offers an unexpected blend of whimsy and wistfulness.”
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The Tennessean
“An effortlessly funny, clever and deeply resonant opera, in which the music and the story fuel one another to create an entertaining and meaningful theatrical experience. ”
— Opera News
“You don’t have to be an opera fan to find laughs in these comic pieces... Paterson has composed some tuneful melodies... Cote can turn a phrase, and knows his topics... Opera meets chains and leather — without a Valkyrie in sight... If you don’t like opera (or don’t think you do), but you like Fringe (or sex) this might be just the ticket for you. Just don’t expect a similar experience the next time “Tosca” comes to town.”
— Orlando Sentinel
Press for HARRIET TUBMAN:
“Okoye’s [Harriet Tubman] is an ensemble of achingly beautiful arias, duets, trios and choruses that recount the major episodes in Tubman’s career...”
—The Baltimore Sun
“Okoye also shows a special affinity for gospel music, with its free and soaring melismas and its connotations of a robust and undaunted faith. Her use of gospel motifs gives Tubman’s great speeches a fittingly indelible intensity, “
—Cleveland Classical
“Those who want to know more about Harriet Tubman can turn to a magnificent new opera that illuminates her career and artfully sketches a compelling picture of her life. “Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That Line to Freedom” by composer Nkeiru Okoye is an example of American opera at its very best.”
—Hyde Park Herald
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ABOUT THE AMERICAN OPERA PROJECT
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The American Opera Project (AOP) is at the forefront of the contemporary opera movement through its commissioning, developing, and producing of opera and music theatre projects, community engagement, and training programs for student and emerging composers and librettists including partnerships with NYU Tisch and Hunter College and its in-house, two-year fellowship program, Composers & the Voice, currently in its tenth season.
www.aopopera.org
Press for AOP:
"known for bringing cutting-edge vocal productions to the masses" — New York
"a perfect first exposure to opera." — Time Out NY
"Bravo to AOP for supporting such controversial and ultimately important work." — Opera Today
"The future of American opera is in good hands." — Opera News
Media Contact: Matt Gray, General Director
email: mgray@aopopera.org, phone: 718-398-4024
Press material is available at:
www.aopopera.org/about
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