ÆSOPERA, a
pentaptych chamber opera inspired by the fables of Æsop, was
presented in concert by Social Arts & SCLT at The Historic Blinn
House in Pasadena, CA on October 15, 2011. Libretti by Jeff
Goode, Jan Michael Alejandro & the composer. Featuring the operatic talents
of Brooke deRosa, Diana Briscoe, Nandani Maria Sinha, Miguel Vargas,
Paul Wong, and Jeffrey Stackhouse. Musical direction and piano
by Leonardo Sciolis and stage direction by Kirk Arnold-Smith and Alison Eliel-Kalmus. The event
was
supported in part through Subito, the quick advancement grant
program of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the American
Composers Forum. Individual mini-operas are below:
"The score is just what I love to see
from modern composers who care about their audience: Price does not
shy away from modern techniques and sonorities, but while there is
no doubt that this is a contemporary work, it is melodic, and
lyrical, full of lush harmonies and textures that serve the stories
first, supporting their drama, their humor and the deep emotions
portrayed onstage."
—LauriGoldenhersh, Lauri's List
The Lion & the Wood Nymph
Libretto by the composer
after Æsop's fable The Lion in Love. It was a winner of New Opera Works'
"Opera In A Month" competition. The mini-opera was written entirely in
the month of April 2007 after a theme (Æsop) was given to the
participants of the challenge on March 31st. The Lion & the
Wood Nymph was performed in concert on August 16, 2007 in American
Fork, Utah at the Historic City Hall. Read along with the
libretto. "The Lion & the Wood Nymph is
just plain beautiful."
—M. Ryan Taylor, VocalWorks.
The Queen & the Dragon
Libretto by Jan Michael Alejandro & the
composer,
inspired by Æsop's fable The Dog & his Shadow. The
Queen & the Dragon premiered at Secret Rose Theatre on June 25, 2009 in
North Hollywood, California as part of their Mini-Musical Festival. Read along with the
libretto.
"««««
It is without reservation that I
recommend this production. However, if you are expecting cheerful and
uplifting musicals, you won't get a lot of that here. If you do like
professional, smart and thought provoking musicals this show is
definitely for you! The line-up even includes mini opera! My favorites
were “The Queen and the Dragon” (the opera), and “Something Not Real”
which reminded me of the musical “Company” in it’s poignancy. Don’t miss
this show! I might even go again!"
S. Katz, GoldStar
The Queen & the Dragon Part I
Secret Rose Theatre,
North Hollywood, CA
The Queen & the Dragon Part II
Secret Rose Theatre,
North Hollywood, CA
The Frogs & the Crane
Libretto by the composer inspired by Æsop's fable The Frogs
Asking for a King.
The Gift of the Magi,
a holiday mini-opera with a
libretto by Jan Michael Alejandro & the
composer, after the eponymous short story by O. Henry. The
Gift of the Magi premiered at
Secret Rose Theatre on December
17, 2009 in
North Hollywood, California as part of their NoHo Ho Holiday Show. Della was performed by Diana Briscoe and
Christina Linton and Jim by Gabriel Manro and Bernardo Bermudez.
The audio recordings below feature Christina Linton and Gabriel Manro.
Read along with the libretto.
The Christmas Ogre,
a
two-act holiday opera with a libretto by Jeff Goode.
To be produced at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in December 2012,
directed by Alison Kalmus. Excerpts below are performed by Eric C. Castro as the Ogre and Christina Linton as the Boy
Ogre.
The
Lion & the Wood Nymph (entire score) (11:42)
The Frogs & the Crane
Libretto by the composer inspired by Æsop's fable The Frogs
Asking for a King.
