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Recent Press Releases
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Common device links middle school students to opera Boston-Question: What would motivate an early teen to sit through a presentation of opera music? Answer: The always popular and seemingly ubiquitous telephone! As part of its ongoing mission to bring operatic music to new audiences in New England, Intermezzo: The New England Chamber Opera Series, takes its production of "The Telephone" to Newton's Brown Middle School. The performance, which consists of two singers and a pianist, takes place on April 14 as part of the school's daylong celebration of the arts. "The Telephone" is a 1947 American chamber opera, written by Gian-Carlo Menotti. During the 20-minute performance, a male suitor tries to ask his beloved for her hand in marriage, only to be interrupted by the phone each time he's ready to pop the question. Frustrated by the disruptions, he finally leaves her side and proposes via telephone, much to the surprise, and joy, of his new fiancé. Intermezzo's production brings the opera into the 21st century by using cell phones as the gadget that causes so many problems. "We are excited to be performing 'The Telephone' for the students," says John Whittlesey, artistic director of Intermezzo. "They'll be able to relate to this piece thanks to the popularity of cellular phones. A presentation like this always generates new audiences for opera and the world of classical music." The performance is the first of three concerts over the next two months for the Boston-based chamber opera group. On May 16, Intermezzo performs the world premiere of "The Game," a Jack London story adapted for the opera stage by Wellesley composer Brian Hulse. Also on the bill that day is "The Boor," a story by Anton Chekov set for the opera stage by American composer Dominick Argento. The performance takes place at 4 p.m. at the David Friend Recital Hall in the Berklee College of Music's Genko Uchido Building, 921 Boylston St., Boston, MA. Tickets are $15 and available at the door. -more- For its final spring showcase, the group travels to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. one week later to perform "The Game," and "The Letter," an opera also composed by Hulse and based on an Edith Wharton story. The final performance takes place May 23 at 6 p.m., and is part of the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage Series. The concert will be televised live on the Internet. To view the May 23 Kennedy Center Millennium Stage Series performance, go to www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium For more information go to Intermezzo's website at www.intermezzo-opera.org # # # Intermezzo: The New England Chamber Opera Series is a chamber opera company based in Boston, MA. Founded in 2003 by Boston resident John Whittlesey, Intermezzo was born out of a vision to produce contemporary chamber operas and bring new and exciting works to the musical life in New England. Chamber opera merges the musical and dramatic flavor of grand opera with the immediacy of art song, performed on a smaller, more intimate scale. All works are performed in English. Brian Hulse is a composer based in Wellesley, MA. Hulse holds a Ph.D. in composition from Harvard. Hulse's work has been performed by Speculum Musicae, Empyrean Ensemble, Duo 46, Strung Out Trio, 20th Century Unlimited, Intermezzo: The New England Chamber Opera Series, Wellesley Composers Conference, Harvard Group for New Music, Fromm Players, Canyonlands Ensemble, the Harvard Glee Club, and the Wellesley College Choir, among many others. Hulse is the 2004 Composer-in-Residence for Intermezzo.
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