Join the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs and Art Song Colorado in an artistic response against domestic abuse issues exacerbated by COVID quarantines through a free, live performance of musical theatre and Jake Heggie’s “To Hell and Back” – the myth of Persephone in a modern-day spousal abuse setting with a baroque-style orchestra – to benefit TESSA of Colorado Springs.
This event is dedicated to the voices of domestic violence, an artistic response to domestic abuse issues, particularly those exacerbated by COVID quarantines.
This impactful, emotive program, intended as an empowering hope-raiser, will center on the nationally renowned Jake Heggie opera “To Hell and Back” - the myth of Persephone in a modern-day setting with a baroque-style orchestra - complemented by relevant musical theater songs as well as poetry and artwork submitted by Colorado Springs domestic violence survivors.
The performance will benefit TESSA of Colorado Springs, empowering victims of partner violence to take back the life that is rightfully theirs.
Thomas Wilson conducts the Chamber Orchestra in Heggie's baroque-style score with production by Eapen Leubner and Art Song Colorado's Associate Conductor, Steven Aguiló-Arbues at the piano
Program:
Selections from Six, Waitress, Little Shop of Horrors, Three Penny Opera, Carousel, Parade
Featuring Jennifer DeDominici and Jonathan Hays
Jake Heggie's 'To Hell and Back'
Featuring Marcia Ragonetti and Amy Maples
Event is FREE. Accepting donations for TESSA.
Phone: (719) 633-3649
Email: chamorch@gmail.com
2021/10/03 - 2021/10/03
Additional time info:
“Heggie’s ‘To Hell and Back’ is an incredible musical journey…a bold experiment …the results are magnificent. Heggie, who is best-known for his full-length opera “Dead Man Walking”, has given the orchestra a decidedly contemporary 40-minute score, one with echoes of Britten, Barber, Bernstein and Copland. The musical language was current, while the sound world is baroque…the effect akin to seeing a favorite painter suddenly switch from oils to watercolors — the same vision with a whole new palette. Heggie’s subject is…spousal abuse, and he and librettist Gene Scheer have borrowed elements of the Persephone myth to set the contemporary tale in motion. “To Hell and Back” will come as a surprise to those who think modern opera isn’t sufficiently tuneful. Heggie has given the score some of his most arresting orchestral writing — a turbulent overture, a lovely melody for the happy times the women (the opera centers on Anne and her daughter-in-law Stephanie, who is abused by Anne’s son) have spent gardening, a lithe motif for a blanket that is Stephanie’s symbol of hope. And, as always, Heggie writes beautifully for the voice. “ East Bay Times
First United Methodist Church
420 North Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903