OperaCréole presents US premiere of "La Flamenca" (1903), by Lucien Lambert in fully-staged production at Marigny Opera House, New Orleans, May 19-21, 2017

Kenya Lawrence Jackson and Tyrone Chambers

Givonna Joseph writes:

(April 20th, 2017 - New Orleans) OperaCréole is proud to announce its production: the US premiere of "La Flamenca" (1903), by Lucien Lambert, a New Orleans composer of Creole heritage. The fully-staged production will be presented at the Marigny Opera House in New Orleans, May 19th-21st, 2017.

Sung in French, La Flamenca, is set in Cuba during the Spanish American War. It debuted at The Théâtre de la Gaîté in Paris in 1903. Except for a few scenes previously presented in the past by OperaCréole, there is no record of the opera ever being performed in America.

The highly dramatic plot is typical of its time. It centers on La Flamenca, a Creole songstress of Cuba, who becomes embroiled through love in the conflict between the Spanish military and the American "Rough Riders." The opera contains extended ballet scenes featuring interpretations of the native dances of Cuba, Haiti and Africa.

The production will be directed by Givonna Joseph, Founder and Director of OperaCreole, Aria Mason, OperaCréole Co-Founder and Production Manager, and Dr. Wilfred Delphin, Pianist.

Cast:

La Flamenca: Kenya Lawrence Jackson

Torres: Tyrone Chambers

Truxillo: Christian Patterson

Jackson: Terrance Brown

Tampico: Evan Hammond

Piquita: Ebonee Davis

Rosalia: Aria Mason

Leonor: Givonna Joseph

Morelos: Barry Robinson

Mazaquil: Tyrone Hayes

About OperaCréole

OperaCréole is dedicated to researching and performing lost or rarely performed music, and sharing with the community the contributions of our people to this musical art form, not only in New Orleans, but around the world.

Since its inaugural concert on May 22, 2011, they have performed with The Louisiana Creole Research Association (LA Creole), Trinity Artist Series, John Boutte, Illinois State University, Bloomington, IL (Artist Residency), Consulat Général de France á la Nouvelle-Orléans, New Orleans Film Society (French Film Festival, 12 Years A Slave Premiere), The Creole Heritage Center, Natchitoches, LA, The Whitney Plantation/Slavery Museum, The Historic New Orleans Collection, The New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park (U.S. National Park Service), French Quarter Festivals Inc., New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, Chevron Corporation, Positive Vibrations Foundation, Young Audiences of Louisiana, Edgar "Dooky" and Leah Chase Family Foundation, and Terrance Blanchard.

WHAT: The American premiere of "La Flamenca" (1903)

WHEN: May 19th-21st at 7:00pm

WHERE: Marigny Opera House, New Orleans

Comment by email: 

Thank you so much!!  Givonna  Givonna Joseph