AOP Presents The Voice of Brooklyn June 21

Brooklyn's AMERICAN OPERA PROJECTS (AOP), "known for bringing cutting-edge vocal production to the masses," (New York) will present The Voice of Brooklyn, its third annual free outdoor concert of new songs and old standards in Fort Greene Park in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The family-friendly program, featuring a collection of songs based on the writings of children and an open mic for amateur voices to shine, will be presented as part of the annual Make Music New York Festival on Tuesday, June 21 from 3:30pm to 8pm. The event is free. A full schedule and details on the performances can be found by visiting www.operaprojects.org.

The day will highlight songs based on the writings of children, including the premiere of "Nobody But Myself," by composer Nkeiru Okoye, a setting of poems by Brooklyn youths Tristan Regist, Aliah Gilkes, and Najaya Royal. The piece, a co-commission from American Opera Projects and The Walt Whitman Project, will be performed by soprano Adrienne Danrich.

Local stars-in-the-making will have a chance to match their voices against the dozens of young opera singers performing including Mellissa Hughes, Eleanor Taylor, and Grant Clarke or read their favorite poem at the event's open mic between musical sets.

Songs by contemporary opera composers Ricky Ian Gordon, Caitlin Smith, Rebecca Pellett, Rachel Peters, Edward Ficklin, Kala Pierson, Michael Rose, Daniel Sonenberg, Aleksandra Vrebalov, Matt Van Brink, Gilda Lyons, and Matt Frey will be featured alongside favorite opera arias throughout the evening. Composer Paula Kimper (Patience & Sarah) will premiere her song "Ephemera," with text by Brooklyn poet Wade Savitt. The evening will close with music from the folk opera "Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That Line to Freedom" by Nkeiru Okoye, performed by soprano Jasmine Muhammad and accompanied by string quintet.

American Opera Projects (AOP), located in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, is an opera company devoted to the development of innovative opera and to supporting the work of living composers and librettists. Since our beginning in 1988, AOP has forged a home in the new opera scene, emphasizing the involvement of the audience in the creative process and the commissioning of works that speak to contemporary America. AOP has presented over 15 world premiere operas including Lee Hoiby's This is the Rill Speaking (2008), Stefan Weisman's Darkling (2006), and Paula Kimper's Patience & Sarah (1998). Recent productions of AOP-developed projects include Séance on a Wet Afternoon at New York City Opera (2011) and the world premiere of Before Night Falls at Fort Worth Opera (2010). Upcoming in 2011: AOP-developed "Peter Quince at the Clavier" at Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, World Premiere of Tarik O'Regan's Heart of Darkness at The Royal Opera House's Linbury Studio and Opera Grows in Brooklyn at Galapagos Art Space on June 12 and September 18. www.operaprojects.org

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