FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11 July, 2014
CONTACT:             Steven Stull or Jeanne Goddard
                        2622 North Triphammer Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
                        crsbarn@lightlink.com
                        607. 339.9759

 

SUMMER OPERA AT THE CRS BARN STUDIO

Triphammer Arts Inc. is pleased to announce three performances of Don Quixote at the Wedding of Comacho, a one-act comic opera by Georg Philipp Telemann, directed by Steven Stull with choreography by Jeanne Goddard. Performances are August 1, 2, and 3 at 7:30pm at the CRS Barn Studio, 2622 North Triphammer Road in Ithaca. This rarely performed opera features Steven Stull as Don Quixote and David Neal as his faithful sidekick, Sancho Panza, with Rebecca Leistikow, Ivy Walz, Lynn Craver, Michael Roddy, and Jon English playing a range of colorful characters, accompanied by Richard Montgomery and William Cowdery at the keyboards. A chorus of enthusiastic shepherds sings and dances at the wedding feast. Weather permitting, performances will be outdoors, with a panoramic view of Cayuga Lake. In case of rain the performance will move indoors at the same location. Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors and $10 for students, and are available at the door.

Telemann used this pastoral scene from the long series of Don Quixote's quests, as a framework for lively vocal writing and amusing portrayals of a range of characters. As Ithaca author Anthony DiRenzo states, "The score is enchanting, a clever and engaging blend of the rustic and the courtly, very much like the episode in Cervantes' novel." As Telemann's opera begins, Quixote and Sancho are on the road in search of their next adventure. A country wedding party approaches, and the knight and his squire are swept up in the neighborhood festivities. They discover that all hearts are not as happy as they should be -- and that wealth and status may be at odds with true love. With a fresh new English translation and a fine cast, this active production should provide entertainment for the entire family.

For over two decades the CRS Barn Studio has offered high quality, audience-friendly music and dance productions both outdoors and indoors at the CRS Growers organic vegetable farm on Triphammer Road. Audiences return again and again for the relaxed atmosphere, the quality of the performances at reasonable prices, and the sensational sunset views of Cayuga Lake. Founding artists Steven Stull and Jeanne Goddard have over 30 years' experience performing, writing, directing, and producing music and dance events in traditional and non-traditional venues. Stull holds degrees in vocal performance from Oberlin College Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music, and has collaborated with directors and choreographers on a wide range of projects. Goddard came of age in the avant-garde dance world of the 1970's, trained and performed with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane and many other choreographers, and has run the dance program at Wells College since 1987.

 

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