Welcome to Delaware Valley Opera! We had an exciting summer season in 2008, and we look forward to the 2009 season now in preparation. In the meanwhile, we offer our annual concert of music by composers living in or near Sullivan County. This series, entitled “MUSIC OF OUR TIME,” has been going on for some time now — not exactly for centuries, but in the lives of the living, still a healthy amount of time: since 1991, or thereabouts. If anyone knows with certainty when the first “MUSIC OF OUR TIME” concert first took place, please send an email with your info to info@dv-opera.org
This year’s “MUSIC OF OUR TIME” concert takes place on Saturday, November 1, 2008, at 7:30 p.m., in Tusten Theatre, 210 Bridge Street, Narrowsburg, New York. Tickets are $12, or $10 for DVO and DVAA members. The box office number is 845.252.7272, or buy tickets at the door. The concert is a “60th Birthdays Celebration” of two very skillful and talented composers living in Sullivan County: Sergio Garcia-Marruz and Thurman Barker. Both are writing premieres for this concert, and we are honored and delighted that they are doing so. Mr. Garcia-Marruz is a Cuban expatriate whose composition “Estampas Cubanas” draws on his intimate knowledge of Cuban rhythms. Rumor has it that special guest artist David Oquendo, known to all afficionados of Latin music, will be singing a Yoruban chant in the last movement. This will be an unforgettable sound. Mr. Barker is known to many in our area: a consummate jazz musician, he also plays classical music and teaches at Bard. He will be playing vibraphones in his composition for vibraphone and woodwind quintet, combining elements of classical and jazz in his unique way.
Special guest artists Sweet Plantain, will be the perfect string section for Mr. Garcia-Marruz’s composition. Sweet Plantain is the classical group of two violins, viola and cello, and they put their very, very strong playing skills to the service of strong Latin rhythms. They will perform as the core string section of the Delaware Valley Chamber Orchestra, and will also play a composition by first violinist Eddie Venegas. Mr. Venegas will in turn play with Narrowsburg resident Chacho Ramirez in a composition for violin and percussion by Carolyn Steinberg.
The evening’s program is as follows:
Thurman Barker - Memories of Days Past, for woodwind quintet and vibraphone, the composer on vibraphone. World Premiere.
Sergio Garcia-Marrúz — Estampas Cubanas, for chamber orchestra. World Premiere.
Stephen Mayer — Symphony No. 1, for chamber orchestra. Narrowsburg Premiere.
Eddie Venegas — String Quartet. Narrowsburg Premiere.
Carolyn Steinberg — The Jester and the Necklace, for violin and percussion. Narrowsburg Premiere.
David Tcimpidis — For ‘Cello and Tape. Narrowsburg Premiere.
Come hear what promises to be an unforgettable concert. Some relevant websites are www.sweetplantain.com, www.upteemusic.com, www.chachoramirez.com
DVO announces the creation of its first endowed fund: the Gloria Krause Endowment Fund. The Board of Directors of Delaware Valley Opera has unanimously voted to establish the Gloria Krause Endowment Fund to honor Gloria’s many years of dedicated service to DVO, her community and her County. We thank you, Gloria! The principal investment of this endowed fund will remain untouched, while the interest income will be dedicated to the payment of singers’ or musicians’ performance fees. This fund will help DVO to bring excellent singers and musicians to our opera performances on an ongoing basis. Your donation in any amount is most welcome as we seek to ensure the excellence of our performances and our future growth. Call the DVO office at (845) 252-3136 or mail a check to DVO, P.O. Box 446, Narrowsburg, NY 12764. Your donation is fully tax deductible.