Tula Concert Hall - broadcast "Blue Calls Set You Free" by LeBaron from Muffled Voices festival
On April 24, 2024, the contemporary opera festival "Muffled Voices" presented the world premiere of the jazz opera "Blue Calls Set You Free" by American composer Anne LeBaron to a libretto by Tulani Davis at the Tula Concert Hall in Russia.
"Blue Calls Set You Free" is a contemporary take on the famous Greek myth about Orpheus and Eurydice, reimagined in the Mississippi Delta region. This opera incorporates jazz, blues, and electronic music, transforming the ancient tale into a modern musical performance. In this rendition, Eurydice, a blues singer seeking independence, tragically dies from a poisoned berry and travels to the afterlife, represented as a jazz club—a place of temptation and creativity. Orpheus, grief-stricken, attempts to bring her back, but Eurydice chooses to remain in the afterlife, valuing the freedom of her own voice and artistic independence over a life with Orpheus. The story emphasizes the significance of personal choice and the power of art to grant enduring life through creative freedom.
Anne LeBaron, a Fulbright Scholar, studied under György Ligeti and Mauricio Kagel. She has received numerous accolades, including the Alpert Prize in the Arts, a Fromm Foundation commission, and grants from the Guggenheim and NEA. Her operas often celebrate iconic female characters. LeBaron teaches music composition at CalArts, and her works are performed globally.
The performers for this opera include:
Elizaveta Bokova, soprano from the Russian Opera Theatre in Berlin, the Zazerkalye Theatre in St. Petersburg, and the Elena Obraztsova International Academy of Music, as Eurydice.
Sergey Dudinsky, tenor, winner of the Live Sound TV project on Russia 1 TV and a soloist of the Mozart rock opera and the 21st Century Orchestra, as Orpheus.
Ilya Khardikov, tenor, soloist of the Moscow Regional Philharmonic and the Moscow Synodal Choir, as Hermes.
Ilya Ushullu, bass, soloist of the Mosconcert and a regular guest of the Good Morning program on Russia 1 Channel, as Pluto.
Vocal trio Melody, winners of the Grand Prix of the Through Thorns to the Stars competition and 1st degree Laureates competition-festival "Singing Flute," as the Harpies-poisoners.
Jazz Ensemble Lyrica Classic, under the direction of Vitaly Kovalenko.
The festival "Muffled Voices" is the 1st International festival of contemporary chamber opera of women composers, dedicated to the memory of the composer Tatyana Chudova on her 80th anniversary. The festival not only pays homage to female composers but also aims to showcase chamber opera as a genre capable of delicately unveiling the deepest aspects of the human soul.
During the festival, Russian audiences will have the opportunity to meet seven talented composers and witness ten opera premieres in different cities performed by leading soloists of the world music scene.
Immerse yourself in the world of modern opera, where every note and word can change the perception of the ordinary! Additional information is available on the festival's website.
Additional information is available on the website: https://lyricaclassic.org/muffledvoic...
