FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CO-OPERA INAUGURAL CONCERT
October 5, 14th Street Y, 344 East 14th St.
Thursday, 8:00 PM One night only
Tickets at the door, $15.
Co-Opera presents an evening of musical rituals. A multi-media event, drawing upon opera, dance, sculpture, video and performance art, comprised of short pieces by Yoav Gal, Timothy Cramer, Mihoko Suzuki and The Imprints.
MISSION STATEMENT
Early in the 17 century opera was born, or re-born, obsessed with the mythic tragedy of Orpheus, a ritual of love, death, and music. As opera evolved, it remained tied to the realm of myth and the unconscious. If we could go to the opera in the 18th century, in Naples, or London, or Paris, we would find a work in which reality and rational thought are disregarded and coherent narrative stands low on the priority list. Emphasis would have been on musical moments - scenes of overwhelming and distilled emotions. Love, jealousy, murder, and all sorts of human and divine tragic affairs presented in super human proportions. The creators of Co-Opera proposes to revive some old attitudes towards opera. They believe that the essence and strength of opera lies in the unconscious realm of myth and dreams. Their kind of opera is made of freely associated images which are open to personal interpretation.
In Handel's time, the presented work would usually be a 'pastiche', created by different composers and librettist. Tragic scenes would have been punctuated with lighter 'divertissements', such as dances, choruses, and comic (buffa) acts, and one would have expected to stay for several hours, have dinner and drinks. Such concepts, which are usually scorned be opera lovers today, are for Co-Opera a source of inspiration. They also recognize their debt to such works as Einstein on the Beach and other minimal operas, as well as to visionaries of the Dada movement and the Italian Futurists, which expanded our modern definition of the theatrical media. Co-Opera creates an environment where dream-like images are saturated with emotional content, born of music.
THE GROUP
A multi talented bunch, they routinely take an active part in the realization of each other's work. Yoav believes that in Co-Opera, a unifying concept has been found for a comprehensive collaboration, one he has been hoping for ever since Mihoko and Tim 'dramatized, his graduation concert at Manhattan School of Music (of which Mihoko is also a graduate). Bill (who also filmed that graduation concert), Valerie, Tim and Mihoko have a long history of friendship and collaboration. From Tim's portrayal of the 'Love Guru' in The Imprint's 'I choked on my Puke - Death of the Summer of Love' in Tompkins Square Park in the Summer of 1987, and on to many performances together (and separately) in such venues as PS 122, Lollapaloosa, Under ACME, The Medicine Show Theater, CBGB & Dance Theatre Workshop.
BIOGRAPHIES
Bill and Valerie are the famous IMPRINTS, the performance art duo which was formed in Pittsburgh, PA in 1980 and has been intriguing New York City audiences since their move to the East Village in 1985. From the outrageous to the sublime, their work continues to provide an uncensored glimpse of the peculiar activities and behavior of the human species. Currently working on a performance series entitled: "The 6 European Cities", The Imprints have previewed two smaller segments from this work: "Zurich/Switzerland" and "The Girls from Amsterdam" which was last performed at the event, "Put the Dirt Back in Times Square". The Imprints will present sketches from "Venice", their latest installment from this series. Subtitled "Completion" and centered around a re-worked 20th century pipe organ piece by the late blind French composer Jean Langlais, "Venice" attempts to capture some of the aura and mystery associated with that city.
Mihoko Suzuki, A native of Japan, will present "To the Dogs". A piece based upon the CD: "DogPoundFoundSound (Bad Radio Dog Massacre)" by Claude Matthews - a 125 minute recording of dog sounds at C.A.C.C. (NYC animal control system). It is a visual-auditory ritual, contemplating poetry of sound, movement and imagery through a spiritual quest towards the 33 abandoned dogs, whose haunting voices silently conjure the complex and contradictory relationship between humans and nonhuman animals. Staged for 2 vocalists, 1 flutist (soprano/alto/bass), and a dancer, accompanied by the paintings of Sue Coe.
The subject of animals and their suffering in the hands of humans has been central in Mihoko's creative output. In that vein she has created such moving works as "This World" - a song cycle for 3 voices & electrically manipulated water sounds - in 1997; and "Litany for the Animals" - an opera/oratorio for 6 female voices & chamber ensemble - in 1996, both premiered at Washington Square Church, NYC.
Yoav Gal will stage excerpts from his opera Mosheh. Mosheh opens with the voice of God, a demonic being, announcing the story of his favorite prophet, Moses. Gods words are followed by SONG OF MIRIAM, a lullaby on the River Nile, sung by Moses' sister who is watching over her baby brother. She sings to him as he sleeps in his little basket, afloat on the water among the reeds. Born in Israel, Yoav is best known for his opera composition. His opera Mao Zedong - Jealous Son was premiered at La MaMa E.T.C. in 1999 and was described by the New York Press as "... a very, very alternative way to celebrate Chinese New Year... similar to Einstein On The Beach The Death of Klinghoffer and Nixon in China." The piece has also received a cybercast on Pseudo. com channel, thanks to a grant from Franklin Furnace Fund. Scenes from his earlier opera, The Dwarf , were presented at the Golden Fleece in 1996 and 1997. Yoav's other contribution to the evening is SONG OF A SIREN. The siren seduces with her singing. A creature of the sea, she possesses a dark lure, and is indifferent to the fate of the enchanted.
Timothy's role in the evenings proceedings will be as host and electronic wizard. With a portable digital effects rack, mixer and array of contact mics he lovingly calls "The Module", he will guide the audience through the evening. Presenting the artist/composers, while at the same time creating live electronically enhanced improvised extended vocal shards. Originally trained as an architect from Pratt Institute, Timothy has been involved in the architectural, industrial, theater & exhibit design fields where he has created interactive audio and educational exhibits for the Brooklyn Historical Society, Children's Museum of Manhattan, New Jersey Historical Society and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. His audio work is alive with sophisticated digital processing, combined with a wide array of extended vocal techniques and rhythmic pounding that he has developed into live improvised performances.
The event will feature dancer/choreographer Dagmar Spain, Sopranos Nita Baxani and Melissa Fathman, flutist Ulla Suokko, and singer/pianist William Demaniow. Also featured are mezzo soprano Judith Barns and Tenor Matt Pass on a pre-recorded sound track, as well as dancers Julie Donnadieu, Geraldine Cardiel, and Olimpia Hernández on a pre-recorded video.