Growth industry in the jungle

Although 'El Canguro' is literally translated as 'the kangaroo', the title of this new opera refers to a pregnant young woman, and the story tells of a corrupt adoption system that used the creation of life as an economic game.  The topic is best explained with the librettist's own words:

My first exposure to the sketchy side of Guatemalan adoptions came by casual comment as we bounced along Antigua's cobblestone streets.  As we passed a pregnant indigenous woman, our driver snorted, "You Americans think you do good adopting our babies.  You created an industry."

'El Canguro' is sung in English.  I set it at the end of the rainy season, September 2007, when the last race was on to sell as many babies as possible before world pressure shut the corrupt system down.  It's a story of 20-year-old Roo, whose pregnancies keep her family afloat.  Composer Mike von der Nahmer's music embraces the culture collision, fusing jazz-inspired themes with choral chanting and jungle sounds.  As the opera opens in the MS13 gang-controlled village, Roo's spendthrift father has taken three different deposits on her current conception. But Roo has miscarried in the night.

It's a fascinating piece, with haunting melodies and poetic themes.  It's not for young children.  And it's something you'll remember.  

--Cynthia Lewis Ferrell, librettist

This unique new work is only here for one show.  Get your tickets today, as it's likely to sell out.  'Nuff said.

A Rainforest Opera

-- One Night Only --

Saturday, September 10, 7pm

 AT&T Center Theater

1150 S. Olive Street, Los Angeles

 Event Listing        Map & Directions

Tickets are $25

Purchase online

Website  Facebook event

Southern California Vocal Events

LAURI D GOLDENHERSH's Weekly Highlights

With so much focus on Sunday's tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, this week's column is a little different: I'd like to mention a few particularly noteworthy concerts scheduled for the coming week, and then offer a sort of round-up of events, vocal and otherwise, that are focused on or specifically dedicated to the commemoration of the fallen. First, a few special notes: 

The week is full of Mozart and Fauré, but also holds some particular treasures. We've already mentioned the one-two punch of 'EL CANGURO: A Rainforest Opera' in Los Angeles and the recital at the Colburn School by DIANA TASH, BRIAN ASAWA and ARMEN GUZELIMIAN, both on Saturday night. Add to those the recital by EDUARDO VILLA and featuring DANIELLE MARCELLE BOND on Friday in Goleta. Also, with a program of new music, DUO CELLIOLA, the twosome of TOM FLAHERTY and CYNTHIA FOGG, will be joined on Sunday by vocalist GWENDOLYN LYTLE and pianist GENEVIEVE FEIWEN LEE in Claremont. Finally, the new NATS Young Artist of the Year, XIAOBO SU, soprano, will give a Sunday afternoon recital at Loyola, and tenor GERALD SEMINATORE will perform a midday recital at Biola University on Wednesday. This is a big week! More details on all of these are available in this newsletter and/or on the Lister Calendar -- get there by clicking: http://tinyurl.com/ListerCalendar 

And now, to remembrance: On the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 events, we are awash in media coverage, new books, old articles and many, many opinions. Never was there a better time to make complex events meaningful and bring communities together through music. Following is a brief list of events designed to commemorate that historic day, intended as a guide so you can find a concert near you and support these efforts of honor and respect: 

Fri, 7pm -- Goleta 

EDUARDO VILLA, tenor 

http://tinyurl.com/3rrjsq9 

Sun, 2pm -- Rolling Hills Estates 

KARINE POGHOSYAN, pianist

featuring Stravinsky's Trois mouvements de Petrouchka

http://tinyurl.com/3soa2hn 

Sun, 2pm -- Thousand Oaks 

ERIC KINSLEY, harpsichord and piano http://tinyurl.com/3fwss7q 

Sun, 3pm -- Arcadia 

HECTOR OLIVERA, Organist

'A Concert of Remembrance' 

http://tinyurl.com/3rh7fc2 

Sun, 3pm -- Carlsbad 

LA JOLLA SYMPHONY AND CHORUS

Community Sing: Mozart's Requiem, 

in commemoration of the 9/11 attacks http://tinyurl.com/3oqhppj 

Sun, 3pm -- Rancho Santa Margarita 

FESTIVAL SINGERS

A Service of Reflection and Remembrance 

http://tinyurl.com/3hy4jla 

Sun, 4pm -- La Crescenta 

PASADENA MASTER CHORALE

'A 9/11 Concert of Remembrance'

including the Fauré Requiem with soloists http://tinyurl.com/425o68q 

Sun, 4:30pm -- Downtown LA 

ANGELES CHORALE

'In Remembrance'

including the Fauré Requiem with combined choirs & soloists 

http://tinyurl.com/3jeeezp 

Sun, 5pm -- Westwood

WESTWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

'A Day of Remembrance and Hope'

http://tinyurl.com/3usnrj9 

Sun, 6pm -- La Verne 

REED GRATZ, pianist

'Music Meditation - A Decade After' 

http://tinyurl.com/3tn6aco 

Sun, 7pm -- Malibu 

MALIBU COAST CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL -- 

'In Remembrance', 

including A Trail of Years for soprano and piano http://tinyurl.com/43orchk 

Next week: 

Fri 9/16 and 9/17, 7:30pm -- La Jolla and Point Loma 

BACH COLLEGIUM OF SAN DIEGO -- 

'In Memoriam: The tenth anniversary of 9/11", 

performing Mozart's Requiem 

http://tinyurl.com/3au523m

Thanks to the performers who give their time and energies to this effort, and to all those who take part in this community remembrance. And as always, thank you for supporting live singing!  

Lauri D. Goldenhersh

lauri@laurislist.com  

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