Austrian Cultural Forum New York Presents PRESS PLAY BACKWARDS

On Wednesday, May 30th, at 7:30 pm the Austrian Cultural Forum New York presents Press Play Backwards. A collaboration between vocalist Lauren Kinsella and pianist Elias Stemeseder, Press Play Backwards is an opera for two improvisers. Admission is free, and reservations (online at ACFNY.org) are required. Austrian Cultural Forum New York is located at 11 East 52nd Street, New York, NY.

Inspired by the ancient Greeks' concept of time, Chronos/Kairos, and the writings of the late Irish poet and author John O'Donohue, Press Play Backwards is a cross-disciplinary music theatre piece that uses sung and spoken text, original composition, and stage movement directed by the New York-based artist, choreographer and dancer K.J Holmes. The piece explores both a collective and personal response to the creative being of visceral and physical memory. The world premiere on May 30 marks the culmination of a year and a half of research and development. Press Play Backwards is supported by Kinsella's 2017 Jazz Composition Arts Foundation Fellowship.

Lauren Kinsella (Live at Fieldgate Studio) Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1983, Lauren Kinsella is a vocalist and songwriter working across several genres including folk, jazz, experimental and sound poetry. Her work explores the role of the voice and body within cross collaborative music theatre practice. She is the 2017 recipient of the Arts Foundation Fellowship and was awarded vocalist of the year JazzFM Award in 2016.

Born in Salzburg, Austria in 1990, pianist Elias Stemeseder performs in a variety of musical idioms ranging from the song-oriented music to contemporary classical. Current projects include collaborations with John Zorn and the Greg Cohen Quintet. Elias has received scholarships and grants from SKE/austro mechana and BKA Österreich Kunst und Kultur.