works: village verein
From March 2023 to May 2024, I held the title of Executive Director of Village Verein-- a new, independent chamber orchestra based in lower Manhattan. In collaboration with Verein's Music and Artistic Director, Ethan Osman , I produced unique and innovative classical programs that reached large, diverse audiences. Below is a chronological record of the productions and projects I was responsible for taking from idea to reality.
Recording: Siegfried Idyll.
Besides organizing ealry rehearsals and laying down the foundation of the partnership between Village Verein and the Alchemical Studios, the earliest proper, deliverable project I completed with Village Verein was organizing a studio recording of Richard Wagner;s "Siegfriend Idyll." The projected was engineered and recorded by Anna Solomon at a studio at the Clive Davis Institute. The recording aired on WNYU's "Classy and Sassy," a radio program hosted by interdisciplinary artist, DJ, and classical pianist SENAIDA.
Our recording starts at 00:26:17, with an interview of Maestro Osman and myself to follow.
Village Verein Presents: The Soldier's Tale.
July 27, 28, and 29th 2023 at The Alchemical Theater
July 31st at The Tank Theatre
Over the summer of 2023, Village Verein conceieved a new, innovative production of Igor Stravinsky's 1918 orchestral-theatrical work "The Soldier's Tale." at The Alchemical Theater. Designed by Stravisnky to be "read, played and danced," "The Soldier's Tale" tells a timeless story of temptation, deceit, and the choice between a promise of riches over a lifetime of love.
Verein's new production, spearheaded by seasoned theatremaker Curtis Howard, featured a tight-knit seven-person on-stage orchestra and actors who simultaneously acted, danced, and shadow-puppeteered the work's plot. Verein's production also featured a new English translation completed by myself and Artistic Director Ethan Osman from the origninal French libretto.
Verein's new production, spearheaded by seasoned theatremaker Curtis Howard, featured a tight-knit seven-person on-stage orchestra and actors who simultaneously acted, danced, and shadow-puppeteered the work's plot. Verein's production also featured a new English translation completed by myself and Artistic Director Ethan Osman from the origninal French libretto.
I oversaw that the set for our players was constructed of reclaimed waste from the textile industry to practice the values of sustainibility in the performing arts that I preached. Carlo Altomare, Artistic Director of the Alchemical, served as a creative consultant for the piece helping design the shadow-play stage that cheifly featured in our production. Lighting was beautifully designed by Sarah Woods, a staple of the Alchemical and now of Verein.
Our initial three night run at The Alchemical Theatre was compeltely sold out. The production was invited to transfer to The Tank Theatre in Midtown Manhattan for a one-night-only run. This invitation to The Tank was to be the opening performance in "Trash/DarkFest," an annual theatre festival produced by The Tank to feature non-traditional theatre works designed with sustianibility and environmental consciousness in mind.
Verein's "Soldier's Tale" was brought to life by so many creatives. Musically, I extend my thanks to Dylan, Young, Sandy, Tylor, Dom, Evan, Matteo, Tasha, John, Yeji, Momoko, Connor, and Ethan for bringing Stravinsky' musical world to life. On the theatrical side, the performances of Curtis as "the Soldier," Bereket as "the Devil," and Will as "the Narrator" will stick with me forever.
The full "Soldier's Tale" program can be accessed here here.
An Evening of Music, Light, and Lecture: Debussy and Ravel.
Symphony in the Sukkah.
The Rite of Spring: Village Verein and Fluid Creature Collective at the Alchemical Studios
Village Verein Presents: Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde