All material found in the Press Releases section is provided by parties entirely independent of Musical America, which is not responsible for content.
Press Releases
Ardea Arts Presents William Mayer's One Christmas Long Ago
On Friday, December 11 at 7:30 pm, Ardea Arts presents One Christmas Long Ago by William Mayer. This rarely-heard gem of a holiday opera will be performed in concert at Metro Baptist Church, 410 W. 40th Street, New York City. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for seniors/children 16 and under. The cast features baritone Ron Loyd, tenor Anthony Webb, and soprano Julianne Borg, with Music Director Saffron Chung, Conductor Richard Cordova, Producing Director Gloria Parker, and stage direction by Ardea Arts Artistic and Executive Director Grethe Barrett Holby.
The American composer William Mayer, best known for his prize-winning opera A Death in the Family, has written for nearly every genre of music, and has been praised by The New York Times for "work that sings out with real beauty." Grethe Barrett Holby states "I have been a huge fan of Bill Mayer's since I first directed a scene from A Death in the Family. When he gave me One Christmas I fell in love with it. Bill celebrates his 90th birthday this season, so the timing is perfect. This is my personal gift to him."
Mayer composed One Christmas Long Ago in 1962. He writes, "One Christmas Long Ago is based on the sweetest Christmas story I know, Raymond MacDonald Alden's Why the Chimes Rang. I fell in love with it in grade school after having seen it staged in the school auditorium. Its sweetness never left me...Twenty five years later, I realized that it had one element after another that was both dramatically and musically right for opera: pomp and pageantry versus intimacy; conflict; distinct characters; suspense and a timeless parable." A synopsis of the opera is available online.
The Ardea Arts concert production of William Mayer's One Christmas Long Ago takes place at Metro Baptist Church on Friday, December 11 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for seniors/children 16 and under. Tickets are available online, by calling (212) 431-7039, or at the door. For more information, visit ardeaarts.com.
Ardea Arts presents One Christmas Long Ago Words and music by William Mayer
Based on the book Why the Chimes Rang By Raymond MacDonald Alden
December 11 at 7:30 pm Metro Baptist Church 410 W. 40th Street New York, NY
Music Director: Saffron Chung Conductor: Richard Cordova Producing Director: Gloria Parker Stage Director: Grethe Barrett Holby
Cast Older Brother: Heather Denny Younger Brother: Sarah Nicole Batts Countess: Julianne Borg Beggar Woman: Melissa Parks Minister/Sculptor:Anthony Webb Parsley the Page: Dimitrie Lazich Old Man/Rich Merchant: Ron Lloyd
Tickets: $20 general admission, $10 seniors/youth (16 and under). Available at the door, online, or by phone (212) 431-7039. For more information, visit ardeaarts.com. About Ardea Arts Ardea Arts/Family Opera Initiative is the leading edge development and production company dedicated to creating and performing new works that engage multi-generational audiences both within and far outside the walls of the opera house. Working with exciting artists that speak through the mediums of music, words, theater and visuals, Ardea Arts involves the community in both the creative process and performance of the work. https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/8c408dd0101/c00fedd7-374f-4f61-aeea-a6a080c2ce64.jpg Artistic & Executive Director - Grethe Barrett Holby A driving force in new American Opera for over 25 years, Grethe Barrett Holby works in multiple artistic dimensions. Her background and skills in theatre and storytelling, dance and movement, and architecture and visual design combine with compelling results in every one of her artistic endeavors. Holby is a visionary. She launched the groundbreaking organizations American Opera Projects in 1988, which she led for 13 years, and Ardea Arts/Family Opera Initiative in 1995, which she continues to lead. With these initiatives, Holby has changed the way the general public views opera, by engaging new audiences of all ages to the art form, often in unexpected settings.
The American composer William Mayer, best known for his prize-winning opera A Death in the Family, has written for nearly every genre of music, and has been praised by The New York Times for "work that sings out with real beauty." Grethe Barrett Holby states "I have been a huge fan of Bill Mayer's since I first directed a scene from A Death in the Family. When he gave me One Christmas I fell in love with it. Bill celebrates his 90th birthday this season, so the timing is perfect. This is my personal gift to him."
Mayer composed One Christmas Long Ago in 1962. He writes, "One Christmas Long Ago is based on the sweetest Christmas story I know, Raymond MacDonald Alden's Why the Chimes Rang. I fell in love with it in grade school after having seen it staged in the school auditorium. Its sweetness never left me...Twenty five years later, I realized that it had one element after another that was both dramatically and musically right for opera: pomp and pageantry versus intimacy; conflict; distinct characters; suspense and a timeless parable." A synopsis of the opera is available online.
The Ardea Arts concert production of William Mayer's One Christmas Long Ago takes place at Metro Baptist Church on Friday, December 11 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for seniors/children 16 and under. Tickets are available online, by calling (212) 431-7039, or at the door. For more information, visit ardeaarts.com.
Ardea Arts presents One Christmas Long Ago Words and music by William Mayer
Based on the book Why the Chimes Rang By Raymond MacDonald Alden
December 11 at 7:30 pm Metro Baptist Church 410 W. 40th Street New York, NY
Music Director: Saffron Chung Conductor: Richard Cordova Producing Director: Gloria Parker Stage Director: Grethe Barrett Holby
Cast Older Brother: Heather Denny Younger Brother: Sarah Nicole Batts Countess: Julianne Borg Beggar Woman: Melissa Parks Minister/Sculptor:Anthony Webb Parsley the Page: Dimitrie Lazich Old Man/Rich Merchant: Ron Lloyd
Tickets: $20 general admission, $10 seniors/youth (16 and under). Available at the door, online, or by phone (212) 431-7039. For more information, visit ardeaarts.com. About Ardea Arts Ardea Arts/Family Opera Initiative is the leading edge development and production company dedicated to creating and performing new works that engage multi-generational audiences both within and far outside the walls of the opera house. Working with exciting artists that speak through the mediums of music, words, theater and visuals, Ardea Arts involves the community in both the creative process and performance of the work. https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/8c408dd0101/c00fedd7-374f-4f61-aeea-a6a080c2ce64.jpg Artistic & Executive Director - Grethe Barrett Holby A driving force in new American Opera for over 25 years, Grethe Barrett Holby works in multiple artistic dimensions. Her background and skills in theatre and storytelling, dance and movement, and architecture and visual design combine with compelling results in every one of her artistic endeavors. Holby is a visionary. She launched the groundbreaking organizations American Opera Projects in 1988, which she led for 13 years, and Ardea Arts/Family Opera Initiative in 1995, which she continues to lead. With these initiatives, Holby has changed the way the general public views opera, by engaging new audiences of all ages to the art form, often in unexpected settings.
WHO'S BLOGGING
Law and Disorder by GG Arts Law
Career Advice by Legendary Manager Edna Landau
An American in Paris by Frank Cadenhead
FEATURED JOBS
RENT A PHOTO
