Brooklyn Opera Works Presents ECHO ET NARCISSE

Brooklyn Opera Works presents Echo et Narcisse on August 17 & 19, 2017 at 7:30pm at BMS Playhouse, 126 St. Felix Street, Brooklyn, NY. Tickets are $10-25 and are available at (718) 638-5660 or www.brooklynmusicschool.org.

A rarely heard Baroque gem, Christoph Willibald Gluck's piece is based on the myth of Echo and Narcissus. His interpretation centers on the internal and external challenges that the lovers have to overcome in order to finally join in love's union. Themes of vanity, narcissism, lust, and jealousy are explored playfully, as the wrath of a jealous God, the mischievous arrows of love, and human compassion compete to shape the lovers' fates.

This updated production touches on contemporary issues of the seduction of self-imagery and features an original painting/backdrop by artist Eve Devore. The modern aesthetic of the production is contrasted by a Baroque chamber ensemble with period instruments, conducted by Tali Makell. Directed by Marie Zvosec and costumed by Deborah Wright-Houston.

This drame lyrique was the last opera written by Gluck. After its production in 1779, he left Paris for good for Vienna. In retrospect, the story prophesies a time in which a sickness of imagistic self-love disrupts human relationships and society.

Proudly featuring emerging stars in opera, theater and dance, Brooklyn Opera Works is dedicated to making opera into a living art form that challenges and engages diverse contemporary audiences. As the original home of The Little Opera Company of New York from 1925 to 1931, the BMS Playhouse theater has a long tradition of vocal performance in the arts community.

Brooklyn Opera Works is dedicated to providing conservatory-level opera training and performance opportunities to new and emerging artists, as well as presenting lesser known operas with a fresh and engaging presentation. 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 Summer Vocal Arts program provides an intensive and fully rounded concentrated course that encompassed vocal technique, movement, dramaturgy, and character development that results in a fully staged showcase production. The program has recently focused on the Baroque opera tradition with a production of Dido & Aeneas in summer 2016. For more information, visit https://www.brooklynmusicschool.org/brooklyn-opera-works-opera-training-program-school/.

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