UC's CCM Studio Opera Series Presents 'Bright Eyed Joy!' Nov. 4-5
CCMs Studio Opera Series presents
, a free cabaret of songs by
, which opens at
8 p.m.
on
Friday, Nov. 4
and continues through
Saturday, Nov. 5
in the
Cohen Family Studio Theater
.
As one of the countys most popular and respected composers of art song, Ricky Ian Gordon is a living legend.
Bright-Eyed Joy!
features his recently composed songs as well as arias from Gordons two acclaimed operas,
Grapes of Wrath
and
Morning Star
.
The songs tell relatable stories of survival, inspiration and hope. Gordon has been actively collaborating with the CCM students in this production, and he personally hand-selected the programs songs for each individual singer.
This will be the second instance in which CCM opera students have performed Gordons music. In December 2012, students had the rare opportunity to perform in a workshop of Gordons
Morning Star
, as part of the
Opera Fusion: New Works
initiative with the Cincinnati Opera.
Morning Star
later premiered at Cincinnati Opera in June 2015.
Oussama Zahr of
praised Gordon for his diverse and distinctive style one that seems effortlessly to combine Broadway clarity, art-song melodies and jazzy flourishes with a sophisticated approach to harmony.
that Gordons
Grapes of Wrath
, based on John Steinbecks novel of the same name, has many of the qualities you'd expect from an acclaimed opera in a tonal palette abundant melody, shining orchestrations but it is Gordon's lyrical exuberance that stands out as uniquely his own.
The audience can expect nothing less from
Bright-Eyed Joy!
, which opens at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4 and continues through Saturday, Nov. 5. Admission is free, but tickets are required. They often sell out quickly, so visit our
guide to Studio Series tickets
for tips and tricks to secure your seats.
CCM students will have an additional opportunity to work with Gordon later this month in the next installment of Opera Fusion: New Works. The 10-day workshop culminates in a free performance of excerpts from the composers newest opera,
Intimate Apparel
at
7:30 p.m.
on
Nov. 14
at the
Cincinnati Club
located at
30 Garfield Place, Downtown.
Program
Once I Was
Morning Star
Poor Girls Ruination/The Dream Keeper
Hallie Ann
Souvenir
Afternoon on a Hill
Otherwise
Resume/Wail/Frustration
To the Maid of Orleans
The Spring and the Fall
I Seen Snow
Being Small
Home of the Brave
Bound to Be
Kid in the Park
When Sue Wears Red
Joy
New Moon
Cast List
TJ Capobianco
Eric Heatley
Chandler Johnson
DeRon McDaniel
Briana Moynihan
Fotina Naumenko
Gabriella Sam
Paulina Villarreal
Accompanists
Maria Fuller
John Combs
Performance Times
8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4
8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5
Location
Cohen Family Studio Theater, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati
Admission
Admission is free. Reservations are required. Tickets become available at noon on Monday, Oct. 31. Please visit the CCM Box Office or call 513-556-4183 to reserve. Limit two tickets per order.
____
CCM Season Presenting Sponsor & Musical Theatre Program Sponsor: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
Opera Department Sponsor: Mr. & Mrs. Edward S. Rosenthal
Opera Production Sponsor: Genevieve Smith
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