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Follow on Google News | Tango, Jazz, Death, & María De Buenos AiresAstor Piazzola's Classic Tango Canción Reincarnates For Modern Audiences Through Bare Opera's Contemporary Feminism
By: The Vanderbilt Republic María de Buenos Aires' cast is comprised of some of today's finest opera singers: Marcelo Guzzo, Malena Dayen, Suchan Kim, Eugenia Forteza, Daniel Irizarry, and Mouna R'miki. Uruguayan poet Horacio Ferrer wrote the opera's original libretto. The work first premiered in May 1968 with the singer Amelita Baltar in the title role, introducing a new style of tango: Tango Canción (in English: Tango Song). This "operetta" combined portions of the unmistakable Piazzola musical language with tango, jazz, and avant garde elements. The unusual libretto is comprised of poems in Spanish and lunfardo, the slang of Buenos Aires. The surreal elaborations are extended and set in spoken word over music along with operatic and tango singing. With spoken word, vocals, and orchestration, the work centers on María, a woman who explores her identity and darkness. Once she has experienced what is hidden in her soul, she gives birth to a new self. While telling the story of María's emotional journey from her perspective, this immersive site-responsive production adds original dance choreography and multichannel projection technology to the renowned Piazzola score. Director and lead Malena Dayen declared, "From childhood in Buenos Aires, I've known the music of Piazzola and Ferrer; it was part of my childhood's fabric. Since being cast to sing the role of Maria several years ago in New York, I've dreamt of a production that created a world where Maris is the woman she is: a soul going through a journey of discovery of power, fragility, darkness, and life's drive." Bare Opera co-founder and executive producer Kirsten Scott concurs: "This production reinforces our mission to offer fresh, relevant stories through operatic works. When Malena first approached us with her production concept, we recognized the unique and highly salient feminism. Maria is not a stereotypical woman; she is a being who encompasses several facets of humanity." Joining Creative × Technical Director George Del Barrio in production are the aforementioned Conductor David Rosenmeyer, Music Director Laetitia Ruccolo, Choreographer Troy Ogilvie, Lighting Designer Anthony Tornambene, and Projection Designer Sangmin Chae. Performances are Friday 5 April at 8p; Saturday 6 April at 6p & 9p; Sunday 7 April at 2p at The Bellewether (http://vanderbiltrepublic.com/ Tickets are available now: https://www.eventbrite.com/ ABOUT THE VANDERBILT REPUBLIC The Vanderbilt Republic (VR, est. 2008) is a creative/production agency formed to catalyze the impact of artistic expression in all modes. Born in Brooklyn, VR sees artists as leaders, activists, and agents for positive change. Through our work with pioneering artists, institutions, producers and brands, the agency offers bespoke solutions in immersive creative production, design & direction with innovative projection methodologies and best-in-class photo/film production. George Del Barrio is VR's Creative Director × Executive Producer — vanderbiltrepublic.com ABOUT BARE OPERA Bare Opera is an alternative opera company in New York City with a fresh, modern take on the opera experience. With minimalist and current aesthetics, exceptional emerging artists bring opera's barest essentials, resulting in a candid, immersive theatrical experience. With breathtakingly beautiful music at its core, Bare Opera redefines opera. Producing its programs in unconventional spaces, like galleries and warehouses, the company endeavors to strip opera of its clichés and create a visceral and intimate experience for all audiences — bareopera.org End
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