moderated by Carlin Glynn
of the Actors Studio

The librettists have their day!

__________________________

The Wanton Sublime Libretto by Anna Rabinowitz

The Bloody Chamber Libretto by Elizabeth Isadora Gold

The Reef Libretto by Joan Ross Sorkin

The House of Special Purpose Libretty by Renzo Oliva

]]> http://www.thecelltheatre.org/march-11-2010-8pm-cco-the-cell-libretto-slam/feed/ 0 http://www.thecelltheatre.org/february-11-2010-8pm-cco-anais-nin-2/ http://www.thecelltheatre.org/february-11-2010-8pm-cco-anais-nin-2/#comments Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:20:13 +0000 The Cell http://www.thecelltheatre.org/?p=1886 atelier presentation

Music and Libretto by Susan Hurley

based on the original manuscript by Barbara Kraft

Directed by Kira Simring

Charlotte Kohn, soprano

Daniel Neer, baritone

Inspired by the life and writings of the noted diarist Anaïs Nin, this opera is a psychological drama of obsessive love during the last minutes of life. Anaïs attempts to come to terms with her impending death in the presence of her lover and long-time companion, Rupert Pole. In what amounts to a test of his devotion, she seeks his understanding but also clearly enjoys shocking him as she revisits and reveals some of the strongest memories of her life, her innumerable infidelities, incestuous relations and her violent rejection of motherhood. Rupert is unable to forgive Anaïs for these dark secrets before she struggles out of bed and then collapses, alone, to the floor.

$20

includes post-performance wine reception

and

present

Discord-Accord

a cabaret/music-theater

With music by Eric Salzman, William Schimmel and Osvaldo Pugliese

Featuring Laila Salins, mezzo and William Schimmel, accordion

CCO steps out of its box as it presents an engaging evening of new music theater. Distinguished accordionist William Schimmel opens with an amazing version of the “Poet & Peasant” Overture, a set of drinking songs and tangos from Latvia (introduced and performed by Laila Salins; some of the texts are by her father who is a leading contemporary Latvian poet); “Accord” a mini-theater solo for Schimmel in which he wanders through the audience, serenading, flirting, singing, laughing, breaking down and crying; music from the Brecht “Good Person of Szechuan”, also organized as a mini-theater piece; and, finally, a set of those biting, hard-hitting Osvaldo Pugliese tangos, instrumental and vocal, with translations and a running commentary.

The program also features three of New York’s top string players: Machiko Ozawa and Marc Levine, violins, and Leo Grinhauz, cello.

Advance tickets $20

THE SECRET AGENT

by Michael Dellaira

Atelier: New Work-in-Progress

Michael Dellaira Composer

J.D. McClatchy Librettist

Based on Joseph Conrad’s novel The Secret Agent, this new operatic work-in-progress is set in fin-de-siècle London, and hinges on the attempt of a group of anarchists to blow up the Greenwich Observatory–terrorism in its early days!

Tickets $20

includes a  post-performance wine reception

A work by a major American composer that has never had a full production in the U.S. (only concert performance). This workshop attempts to find a visual staging
that can lead to a full production.

In 1976, Morton Feldman met Samuel Beckett in Berlin where they discussed their mutual disdain for traditional opera, and Beckett agreed to elaborate on some words he called “the theme of his life.” The result was Neither, Feldman’s meditation on self awareness colored by pungent, unsettling sonorities wed to passages of ethereal beauty this is a work by a major American composer that has never had a full production in the U.S. (only concert performance). This workshop will attempt to find a visual staging for the work that can lead to a full production.

Tickets to all events at the cell are $30 and include post-performance receptions. Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets or by calling 1-800-838-3006.

Center for Contemporary Opera

Music by Randall Eng
Libretto by Alexis Bernier

On his arrival at Henry’s estate, Daniel realizes that there is a much more personal rather than professional reason for his being there. He experiences “love at first sight” with Pascal and unprovoked antagonism from Marisa. And it seems that he is being interviewed by Henry rather than the other way around. Finally, Henry reveals that for a long time, he has been dreaming about his dead first wife and the dream life he shares with her has become more important, more satisfying, more real to him than his waking life. The dreamed directives of Henry’s late wife have been given voice through Henry and all four characters must find ways to now accept and follow.

Tickets to all events at the cell are $20 and include post-performance receptions. Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets or by calling 1-800-838-3006.

Center for Contemporary Opera

presents

The Center for Contemporary Opera’s 26th Season

Clarence and Anita

by Ben Yarmolinsky
Directed by Kira Simring

Following the political drama surrounding the appointment of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, this opera belongs to the new genre of contemporary works often known as "CNN Operas". Composer Ben Yarmolinsky calls it a "docu-opera" as its libretto is direct from the transcript of Clarence Thomas’ Senate hearings which featured salacious charges from his former employee Anita Hill that he sexually harassed her, nearly blocking his conformation. The cast includes Senator Joseph Biden, current Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate and a veritable "Whiffenpoof" chorus from Yale Law School affirming Ms. Hill’s character and professional standing.

The price of admission includes a wine reception following the performance.