Brooklyn Opera Works at the Brooklyn Music School Presents A BROOKLYN CABARET

Now in its sixth year, Brooklyn Opera Works (BOW), founded in 2013 by Artistic Director Lina Tetriani, proudly features emerging stars in opera, theater, and dance. During its Summer Vocal Arts program, BOW hosts three productions at the BMS Playhouse: a fully produced opera, an original work of music, theater and dance for children, and the annual A Brooklyn Cabaret. BOW is dedicated to making opera into a living art form that challenges and engages diverse contemporary audiences.

In 2018 The Brooklyn Opera Works/SVA program will present John Blow's baroque masterpiece "Venus and Adonis", accompanied by a baroque chamber ensemble, award-winning composer Christopher Cerrone's one-act opera "All Wounds Bleed". As well as the annual edition of "A Brooklyn Cabaret", directed by Anthony Laciura, and children's original musical adaptation of "Venus and Adonis".

Saturday, August 18, 2018 A Brooklyn Cabaret: Temptations

At 7:30pm at Brooklyn Music School, 126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn, NY

Tickets are $20 ($15 for BMS Students) and can be purchased at https://a-brooklyn-cabaret-temptations.eventbrite.com

Bold and provocative, the 6th annual A Brooklyn Cabaret will feature scenes inspired by the mythological dynamic of Venus, the erotic goddess of love and Adonis, the young hunter. Included will be classic selections by Kurt Weill, Frederick Hollander, and Misha Spoliansky, as well original works by emerging cabaret composers.

Mr. Anthony Laciura will direct this over the top showcase featuring impassioned performances by BOW artists. Laciura is a highly acclaimed director, actor and operatic tenor and has appeared on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera over 800 times, and more recently has won praise for his role as Eddie Kessler in Martin Scorsese's Boardwalk Empire.

Wine will be served for all to enjoy.

Wednesday, August 22 & Friday, August 24 Venus & Adonis and All Wounds Bleed

7:30pm at Brooklyn Music School, 126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn, NY

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at https://venus-and-adonis-all-wounds-bleed.eventbrite.com

Thursday, August 23 Venus & Adonis

7:30pm at Brooklyn Music School, 126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn, NY

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at https://venus-and-adonis.eventbrite.com

Venus and Adonis

The groundbreaking, erotic myth of Venus and Adonis centers on the intricacies of the relationship between a sexually empowered goddess and her younger consort.

In the heart of this love story, themes of power play, manipulation and yearning are explored and exploited. Venus's reluctance to surrender, coupled with Adonis's innocence, leads to both a tragic outcome and poignant transcendence.

John Blow's reinterpretation of the myth features sensual English baroque music and scenes of love, desire and playful pageantry of cupids. Controversially categorized by some scholars as first English baroque opera, this piece inspired such legendary later works as Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.

The production is set in the court of Charles II where the aristocrats take on the epic roles, thus reenacting the story within a story. The voyeuristic aspect highlights the mortal interest in the movements of the gods. Featuring extravagant costumes of the Restoration era by Deborah Wright Houston and stage direction and choreography by Marie Zvosec, the production will showcase the talented emerging artists of Brooklyn Opera Works.

All Wounds Bleed

Composed by the Pulitzer Prize finalist Christopher Cerrone, All Wounds Bleed is a one-act chamber opera that tackles themes of individual strife as seen through the lens of the myth of Echo and Narcissus. Mr. Cerrone and Tony Asaro, who wrote the libretto, invite us into the inner world of each figure of the striking trio. Three scenes confront listeners with timely themes of isolation and emotional neglect. A contemporary take on a classic myth, All Wounds Bleed marks BOW's first foray into presenting new opera by a living composer.

BOW is dedicated to providing conservatory-level performing arts training and performance opportunities to new and emerging artists, as well as to mounting lesser known operas with fresh and engaging presentations. We encourage talented vocal artists who come from a range of different traditions and backgrounds to explore the operatic art form, while developing future audiences.

The Brooklyn Music School views music and performance as the birthright of all people, an essential way that human beings connect with others and explore their creativity. The study of music has been demonstrated to enhance academic learning and helps to develop discipline and confidence that will serve children well throughout their lives.As part of the vision of reinventing the community music school for the 21st Century, BMS is dedicated to:

* Making high quality musical instruction approachable and affordable to a wide range of students,

* Creating frequent opportunities for performance for our students and cultural enrichment for our community,

* Representing a wide range of musical traditions, including European, African, Middle Eastern, and American to represent the diversity of Brooklyn's musical talent, and

* Offering a warm and welcoming space for families and individuals to explore new talents and make lasting friendships.

For more information, visit www.brooklynmusicschool.org.

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