Duke Ellington Opera among Rare 20th Century Works on COT’s 2014 Season

by Viola da Voce on May 20, 2013

in Classical Music

300px-Jazz_musician_Duke_Ellington1Did you know that Duke Ellington wrote an opera? That Ernest Bloch created his own Macbeth? Or that Carl Orff composed something else besides Carmina Burana? I’m just kidding about that last one – of course we all know that Carl Orff wrote other things besides Carmina Burana. But if you’re curious about the Duke Ellington, Bloch, and Orff operas, then you’ll definitely want to check out these works at Chicago Opera Theater next year. The city’s most innovative opera company has announced that its 2014 season will be comprised entirely of 20th century music by the afore-mentioned composers, as well as a little-known work by Viktor Ullmann. General Director Andreas Mitisek comments, “It’s a season that is 100% 20th century and 150% COT.  New, rare and with contemporary relevance for a curious audience that is hungry for new theatrical experiences.”

The season will open with Duke Ellington’s Queenie Pie, which combines a fascinating mix of big band, opera, jazz, and musical theater. The title character was inspired by Madam C.J, Walker, the first African-American self-made woman millionaire who created and sold a line of hair and beauty products. Ellington start composing the piece in 1962, and in collaboration with librettist Betty McGettigan, worked on the opera from 1967 to his death in 1974. Even though the opera was never completed opera, different versions have been produced in cities around the United States. COT will present the version that librettist McGettigan created for the Butler Opera Center at the University of Texas in 2009. Performances will take place at the Harris Theater February 15-23, 2014.

In the spring, COT will offer a double bill of Viktor Ullmann’s The Emperor of Atlantis (Der Kaiser von Atlantis) and Carl Orff’s The Clever One (Die Kluge). Both of these German works, composed in 1943, satirize oppression and dictatorship. Ullmann composed Emperor during his imprisonment in the Theresienstadt concentration camp. A parody about fascism, the opera is set in Atlantis where Emperor Overall advocates total war against everyone and Death retires from his duties.

Carl Orff wrote his own libretto for The Clever One, a fairytale opera which tells of a foolish, tyrannical king who is outsmarted by a clever woman. The two operas will be presented together May 31-June 8, 2014 at the Merle Ruskin Theatre of Depaul University, 60 E. Balbo Ave.

NFordSalome_COTErnest Bloch wrote his version of Macbeth between 1904 and 1906, at the ripe old age of 24. COT will perform Bloch’s own English translation of Edmong Fleg’s original French libretto, which retains much of the original Shakespearean writing. The opera has only been staged once in the United States, at the Juilliard school of music in 1973. Long Beach Opera (LBO) will perform Macbeth as part of its 2013 season next month; COT will create a new production based LBO’s performances for the 2014 season. Performances will take place at the Harris Theater September 13-21st, 2014.

Subscriptions to COT’s 2014 season started $95 and go on sale July 1, 2013. Individual tickets will be available beginning January 6, 2014. To purchase subscriptions and tickets, visit www.chicagooperatheater.org or call 312-704-8414.

Image of Duke Ellington from Wikipedia; image of Nmon Ford by Ian Keith Polakoff, courtesy Long Beach Opera.

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Violist Roger Myers’ Enticing Orchestral Take on Renowned Chamber Masterworks

by Viola da Voce on May 16, 2013

in Classical Music

DE3441_coverRoger Myers’s first foray with the Delos label finds the violist bringing renowned chamber works into the enticing new realm of orchestral arrangements. Fantasy and Farewell: Music for Viola and Orchestra includes two standard viola compositions – Robert Schumann’s Märchenbilder (Fairy-Tale Pictures) and Dmitri Shostakovich’s Sonata for Viola and Piano – transformed into orchestral works. The album also features the Suite for Viola and Orchestra, a piece which Myers commissioned from composer Michael McLean (who also orchestrated the Schumann) in loving memory of his mother. Each of the three works explore the title themes of fantasy and farewell.

Myers performs the pieces with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michael Francis. The Schumann and the McLean are each world premiere recordings.

An audio sample of the Prelude from McLean’s Suite is available below. Click Fantasy and Farewellto purchase the complete album from iTunes.

Image courtesy of  Delos

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From the Top’s Christopher O’Riley Reimagines Liszt at International Beethoven Project

by Viola da Voce on May 9, 2013

in Classical Music

The International Beethoven Project will present pianist Christopher O’Riley performing selections from his new album of Franz Liszt transcriptions, O’Riley’s Liszt, on Monday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Merit School of Music.  The pianist’s latest project reimagines Liszt’s transcriptions of works by Mozart, Wagner, Berlioz, Schubert, and Schumann with O’Riley’s own touches and insight.

Known to many for his work with young musicians as the host of NPR’s From the Top, Christopher O’Riley has also received critical acclaim for his transcriptions of Radiohead, Elliott Smith, Nick Drake, and other rock musicians.

“As a constantly innovating artist and media personality, Christopher O’Riley represents the type of boundary-pushing musician the International Beethoven Project believes is most relevant in the 21st century,” says President and Artistic Director George Lepauw. “We especially admire his ability to embody so many significant roles—from his inspiring work with brilliant young musicians as host of NPR’s From the Top to his transcriptions of modern rock artists and now, Liszt’s fiendishly difficult transcriptions for solo piano.”

Prior to O’Riley’s performance, the International Beethoven Project will present Merit School of Music student groups in a performance at 6 p.m. on May 13. The student concert is free and open to the public.

Christopher O’Riley’s performance takes place at the Merit School of Music’s Joy Faith Knapp Music Center, 38 S. Peoria St. in the West Loop. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $50 for VIP priority seating that includes an exclusive postconcert reception with O’Riley. To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit www.internationalbeethovenproject.com.

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Serj Tankian Scheduled to Release Orca and Jazz-Iz Christ this Summer

by Contrapuntist on May 5, 2013

in Pushing Musical Boundaries

Serj Tankian Orca CoverSerj Tankian has been quite busy as of late and as a result is independently releasing two albums this summer through his own Serjical Strike Records.  Orca, Tankian’s first true symphony, will be released on June 25 and the collaborative jazz infused album Jazz-iz Christ will be released on July 23. Tankian is continuing his evolution by going from lead singer to full-fledge artist tapping the influences heard in System of a Down and his previous solo projects.

Recorded in Linz, Austria in October of 2012, Orca was composed and demoed in Tankian’s home studio. After a successful Kickstarter campaign that helped fund the recording and debut performance at the regal Brucknerhaus with the “Das Karussell Ensemble”, Tankian’s orchestral work is set to be unleashed. The four acts of Orca mix influences from early 20th century composers with modern film compositional dynamics showing influences ranging from Ennio Morricone to Philip Glass.

According to Tankian, “Orca is known as the killer whale, but is really a dark dolphin, a symbolism for human dichotomy.”

Jazz_Iz_Christ_Cover_280Jazz-iz Christ is Serj’s brainchild, but truly is a collaborative effort between many musicians that Tankian curated to be part of the group and self-titled album. Among others, there are considerable contributions from renowned pianist Tigran Hamasyan, flautist Valeri Tolstov, and trumpet player Tom Duprey. Additional performances from Stewart Copeland and actor/musician Davis Alpay and Vincent Pedulla make for a very unique collaboration. The 15 tracks that comprise Jazz-iz Christ, a mostly instrumental effort except for 4 tracks, are an amalgam of progressive jazz, electronic, ethnic and even rock elements, displaying a unique presentation of the genre itself.

Both albums will be available worldwide on iTunes, Amazon and other popular digital distributors. Physical copies of the music will only be available through his online webstore.

Pre-orders for the deluxe limited editions of Orca, which includes a 180 gram picture disc 12″ vinyl, t-shirt, audio CD, official show poster and an autographed book of the actual full concert score began earlier this week.  today. There are only going to be 500 of them, so get yours before they are all sold out. You can pre-order the Limited Edition Orca Album Package Here.

Pre-orders for Jazz-iz Christ will commence on May 15.

Audio samples from both releases are available for preview on Serj’s official website.

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Concert Review: Chicago Opera Theater dramatic performance of Astor Piazzolla’s Maria De Buenos Aires

by Contrapuntist on May 2, 2013

in Sonic Perspectives

Maria de Buenos Aires - Chicago Opera Theater

There is dark history in Latin America with “cleansings” and “disappearances” that took place to remove political opposition. Argentina unfortunately experienced this in the 20th century. In Argentina, there was also the exploitation of women. So it makes perfect sense that Astor Piazzolla would use the rich, exoticism of the tango as the foundation for telling a story that depicts this time period. Piazzolla only wrote one opera, Maria de Buenos Aires, but it includes his signature sound juxtaposed over the poetic, sensual and sinister story written by Horacio Ferrer.

The Chicago Opera Theater magically brought this story to life in 21st Century fashion with its own juxtaposition by having the entire performance take place behind a silk screen as black and white footage of Argentinean life was strategically used throughout the performance.  But the trick to performing Maria de Buenos Aires falls firmly on the bandoneon player, the instrument that oozes the sensuality of the tango, as the part weaves scenes together with sustained, pain-filled notes.

Born from the bordellos, or ghetto of Buenos Aires, the tango combines love, eroticism, lyricism, and agony. It’s impossible to have a tango opera without dance; they are both so intricately connected. And the Luna Negra Dancers joined the Chicago Opera Theater and played a pivotal role.

To open the opera, footage sets the mood with scenes of what life is like in Buenos Aires, but before the story begins, photos from the “disappeared” cover the screen and slowly fall away, like leaves in autumn slowly floating to the ground.  The story begins with Payador (El Duende), a survivor of the “Dirty War,” telling the tale of his lost love, Maria, played by Peabody Southwell. As the opera goes back in time, Maria comes to life with dancers slowly bringing her to life on stage as if emerging from a womb.

The story goes from two lovers being married and quickly shifts to the shadows of Argentine history as the younger Payador, played by Gregorio Gonzalez, is taken into custody for his anti-government activities. When Maria searches for Payador by entering a life of seduction to mingle with police in hope for answers, the story turns bleak as the older Payador believes his Maria is raped by the police. It’s during this scene when the energy in the Opera instantly changes. I could feel the audience’s shock as a bare-breasted Maria reveals the brutality of the period.

By the end, the tormented Maria dies, but not before the captured Payador hears the cries of his love from a distance in the prison of the “disappeared.” So close and yet so far away, the lovers will never unite again.  As the Luna Negra Dancers carry Maria’s body in biblical fashion, the older Payador ends his story.

As a long time fan of Piazzolla, the Chicago Opera Theater did a magnificent job not only telling the story of Maria, but drawing the audience into Argentina in 1968, when the opera first premiered.

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Now it really is the Music Institute of Chicago

May 1, 2013

The Music Institute of Chicago (MIC) announced today that it is partnering with the Fourth Presbyterian Church to open a new campus at the church’s Gratz Center, just west of North Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago. MIC has had a presence in the city through community engagement programs and its work with the Chicago Public [...]

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Violinist Lindsey Stirling Dubsteps on Dancing with the Stars

May 1, 2013

Rock violinist Lindsey Stirling dubstepped onto the Dancing with the Stars floor last night to perform a shortened version of her hit tune, “Crystallize”. Stirling accompanied renowned dancers Allison Holker and Stephen “tWitch” Boss. The dancers were great, but it would have been nice for Stirling to have the floor to herself. She’s a great [...]

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eighth blackbird to perform with indie superstars at Museum of Contemporary Art

April 26, 2013

Fresh from their third Grammy win, new music ensemble eighth blackbird will perform at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago on April 30 and May 1. Indie superstars Bryce Dessner and Nico Muhly will perform with eighth blackbird as well as each other, presenting their own music and pieces by composers who have inspired them. [...]

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Free Maestro app allows anyone to conduct an orchestra

April 25, 2013

Dream Theater’s keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess and his artistic technology company Wizdom Music have created Maestro, a free Windows 7 and 8 app which allows users to conduct an orchestra of animated characters. The program’s advanced camera technology and gesture recognition allow you to “conduct” through a webcam. If you don’t have a camera, you [...]

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Musical Tributes to Boston by PS 22 Chorus, Neil Diamond, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

April 22, 2013

There’s nothing like music to bring solace in the wake of a disaster. Over the past week, the PS 22 Chorus, Neil Diamond, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra each paid a musical tribute to Bostonians in the wake of the tragic April 15 marathon bombings. Staten Island’s PS 22 fifth-grade chorus, best known for their [...]

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