Re: opera about sun ra
Re: opera about sun ra
This is news to me: Sun Ra is "late" and "eccentric"??
Anyway, from www.bigredmediainc.com/MrMystery.html:
MR. MYSTERY:
THE RETURN OF SUN RA TO SAVE PLANET EARTH
Music and Concept by Fred Ho
Libretto by Quincy Troupe
Co-written by Fred Ho and Quincy Troupe
The enigmatic and innovative seer and composer-band leader Sun Ra
departed planet Earth on May 30, 1993. However, this departure was not to be permanent. In this new Ra-opera (part Ra-like romp and opera), the Intergalactic Arkestra returns with its iconoclastic and intrepid leader to save planet Earth from impending destruction with the healing force of enlightened music. Earth is careening towards a crossroad of doom: over half of its living species have been killed by deforestation, the ozone layer has been shredded by the continual emissions of fluorocarbons into the atmosphere, leading to global warming, the rise of the world's oceans, devastating climatic changes, the increase of disease; meanwhile humanity suffers from First World rapacious consumerism, apathy and preoccupation with escapism, and reactionary super-patriotism; while the Third World is consumed with the AIDs epidemic, endemic war and social violence, crushing poverty, and cultural genocide. Sun Ra returns to battle the forces of stupidity and planetary self-destruction. He is the ultimate Hero against Hype. The Messiah against Mass Media Mindlessness and Muzak. The Warrior Wizard against World Wickedness. The Trickster to top all tricksters.
Joining him is a new Arkestra of world and extra-world musicians in a
crusade for planetary sonic liberation, the Inter-planetary Sonic Liberation Army.
Instrumentation: Sona, 2 Trumpets, 2 Trombones, Tuba, Chromodalphone,
Baritone Saxophone, Chinese flutes, Chicano Violin, modified drum set, bass and keyboards.
Additionally: Sun Ra (bass-baritone), Commander/First Officer Sparky
(tenor), and the Cosmic Choir (5 singer-dancers).
Setting: On board the Inter-planetary Sonic Liberation Arkestra
(ISLA). Time: the not-too-distant Future.
bigredmedia@hotmail.com
212.760.4980.
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According to www.pewtrusts.com/pdf/phila_music_project_2004.pdf , the Prince Music Theater [in Philadelphia] received an $8O,OOO Pew Grant in 'O4 to produce "CrossCurrents at the Prince," a new contemporary musical theater festival featuring the work of composers Fred Ho and Paul Dresher; "The Prince will commission and present the world premiere performances of Fred Ho and Quincey Troupe's new opera, Mr. Mystery: The Return of Sun Ra to Planet Earth, and Paul Dresher's A King Listens - Diaries of a Mad King, featuring tenor John Duykers. The project will also include theatrical productions of Ho's Voice of the Dragon, Part 2 and a new version of Dresher's Slow Fire with vocals by Rinde Eckert. Master classes, panel discussions, and films will also be presented.
To see this production whenever it comes about, the Prince is at 1412 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, 215-569-97OO, www.princemusictheater.org, info@princemusictheater.org, nkathan@princemusictheater.org (artistic administrator Nancy Lee Kathan), tickets@princemusictheater.org.
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On Friday, November 11, 2005 at 8:22 PM, ihorsr@gmail.com wrote: Subject: opera about sun ra
this is news to me - an opera???
I-) ihor
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/entertainment/13133578.htm
Posted on Fri, Nov. 11, 2005
Troupe deployment
Prolific poet, biographer and librettist pays a visit: Multi-talented writer Quincy Troupe pulled off quite a double punch by winning two American Book Awards - one for his poetry ("Snake-Back Solos") and another for his nonfiction book about jazz great Miles Davis ("Miles: The Autobiography"). Troupe also received a prestigious Peabody Award for his work co-producing and writing a seven-part radio series about Davis that was broadcast on National Public Radio. He is currently writing a libretto for an opera about the late, eccentric jazz genius Sun Ra as well as finishing a novel. Hear the prolific Troupe when he reads from his work at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Warehouse, 706 W. Gaines St. It's free. Troupe will give another reading and hold a book-signing at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at FAMU's Charles Winter Wood Theatre. It's also free. As a side note, Troupe's father was an all-star Negro League catcher named Quincy Trouppe Sr. (when the the family named was spelled with two p's).