Chicago Opera Vanguard Presents GREEK by Mark Anthony Turnage
| Event Type: | Opera |
|---|
GREEK is a translation of Oedipus myth into the Thatcher era. The economically depressed East End of London forms the background for the story of “Eddy,” a working class kid who’s who dreams of a better world. Racism, violence and mass unemployment appear as symptoms of a plague of oppression that afflicts the city, and Eddy’s only means of survival is to become a violent skinhead.
Mark-Anthony Turnage is among the most relevant communicators and creators of today. His orchestral and operatic music is often forthright and confrontational, unafraid to mirror the realities of modern life, yet its energy is exhilarating. With his flair for vivid titles, and his complete absorption of jazz elements into a contemporary classical style, Turnage produces work with a strong appeal to an enquiring, often young audience. Born in Britain in 1960, Turnage studied with Oliver Knussen and John Lambert, and later with Gunther Schuller.
With the encouragement of Hans Werner Henze, he wrote his first opera for the Munich Biennale festival, GREEK, which received a triumphant premiere in 1988. The many ensuing productions worldwide established Turnage’s international reputation.
Turnage is currently Mead Composer in Residence with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Much of Turnage’s music is recorded on Decca, Chandos and Black Box.
GREEK performs 8PM Thursday June 4, Saturday June 6, Wednesday June 10, Friday June 12 and Saturday June 13, at the St. Paul Cultural Center, 2215 W. North Ave.
General Admission is $35 Wednesday & Thursday; $40 Friday & Saturday
Student Admission is $5 preview; $10 all performances
Tickets are available online at www.chicagovanguard.org
St. Paul Cultural Center:
Historic St Paul's hosts multi-disciplinary events at 2215 W North Ave, just two blocks west of Milwaukee, North and Damen. The facility is a cultural center directed by artists to benefit the broader community. The Romanesque building, built in the 1880s by Norwegian Luthern shipbuilders, offers a large open space, carved wood details, and seats an audience up to 200 in hand-carved wooden pews.
About Chicago Opera Vanguard:
Employing the daring aesthetic of an off-Loop theater, Chicago Opera Vanguard is dedicated to creating the Mid-West’s foremost home for engaging theater with music by commissioning new works, giving a second voice to daring music-theater pieces, and by completely re-imagining operatic favorites. More information on current and future Chicago Opera Vanguard productions can be found at www.chicagovanguard.org.