'American Lyric Theater Resident Artist Composers to be featured include...Nkeiru Okoye' Jan. 30, 1 PM

[Nkeiru Okoye]

AfriClassical has written about Dr. Nkeiru Okoye (b. 1975), http://www.NkeiruOkoye.com, a number of times over the years. On Feb. 29, 2008 we wrote that Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora, Compiled and Edited by William H. Chapman Nyaho, included her Dancing Barefoot in the Rain, which is from African Sketches. On Aug. 31, 2009 AfriClassical posted: “Nkeiru Okoye, African American Composer, Was a Featured 'FESAAM 2009' Presenter.” A post on Jan. 5, 2010 read: “Tania León A Co-leader of 'Composers Now' Panel; Works of George Walker & Nkeiru Okoye Heard.”

The Center for Black Music Research CBMR Digest for Fall 2010, Vol. 23, No. 2 includes a feature article, A Tribute to Hale Smith (1925-2009) by Regina Harris Baiocchi. The article says: “Smith taught at Xavier University, C.W. Post College, and the University of Connecticut, Storrs. His proteges include Dr. Malcolm Breda, Dr. Nkeiru Okoye, Wynton Marsalis, and this writer.”

Nkeiru Okoye's website says of her present activities: “Currently, she is a Resident Artist in American Lyric Theater's Composer Librettist Development Program in NY, while completing her folk opera, Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That Line To Freedom.” We have noted recently that composer Anthony Davis will host an event at the American Lyric Theater on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 1:00 p.m. The ALT website reports: “American Lyric Theater Resident Artist Composers to be featured include Christopher Cerrone, Justine Chen, Gerald Cohen, and Nkeiru Okoye; alongside Librettists Tony Asaro, Rochelle Bright, and David Simpatico.”

BroadwayWorld.com: Anthony Davis to Host American Lyric Theater's 'Freshly Brewed' at Opera America Jan. 30

[Anthony Davis]

BroadwayWorld.com

Wednesday, January 12, 2011 – by BWW News Desk

“American Lyric Theater (ALT) is pleased to announce that composer Anthony Davis will host the next event in the company's FRESHLY BREWED concert and master class series on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at 1:00 PM.

“The FRESHLY BREWED series was designed to give the public a chance to see inside the Composer Librettist Development Program Studio. ALT's flagship program, the Composer Librettist Development Program (CLDP) is the only full time mentorship initiative for emerging operatic writers in the United States. Anthony Davis, internationally acclaimed composer of the operas X, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MALCOLM X, TANIA, AMISTAD, and WAKONDA'S DREAM, is a guest faculty member and artist mentor for the CLDP.

“Davis is known around the globe for his exciting works that draw from the lives of historical figures. January's FRESHLY BREWED event will be the culmination of his winter residency at ALT, during which composers and librettists in the CLDP have been exploring the challenges of dramatizing history for the opera stage.” “The concert will include a discussion about the use of the vernacular, and the balance between fact and fiction in dramatizations of history. A light brunch will also be served, providing an opportunity to meet and get to know the next generation of American operatic writers.”

'Ellington & The Modern Masters' (1999) Still Available from Detroit Symphony Orchestra

[Ellington & The Modern Masters; Detroit Symphony Orchestra; Neeme Järvi and Leslie B. Dunner, conductors; Ursula Oppens, piano; DSO-1003 (1999)]

Ellington & The Modern Masters was issued in 1999, “Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the DSO UNISYS African-American Composers Residency”. We contacted the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and asked if the CD was still available. The Retail Sales Manager, Paul Yee, replied in an email: “The CD retails for $12.99 and we have plenty on hand. If you like, I can take your order over the phone and mail a copy to you. We accept all major credit cards for payment.” Mr. Yee's email address is pyee@dso.org and his phone number is 313-576-5115.

Olly Wilson (b. 1937) was Unisys Composer-in-Residence for 1997-98. His work on the CD is Shango Memory (8:33). Michael Fleming says in the liner notes, “The composer provided the following note for the world premiere of Shango Memory, performed on February 5, 1995, by the New York Philharmonic conducted by Neeme Järvi: 'Shango Memory is inspired by the Yoruban deity Shango, the god of thunder and lightning...'” Anthony Davis (b. 1951) was Unisys Composer-in-Residence for 1995-96 and composed Notes From the Underground (9:11). He says in the liner notes that the work was commissioned by the American Composer's Orchestra and Francis Goelet, and was composed in 1988. Davis elaborates: “The work premiered in April of that year at Carnegie Hall, and is dedicated to Ralph Ellison (1913-94), the author of the landmark novel Invisible Man.”

Jonathan Holland (b. 1974) was Unisys Protégé Composer for 1995-96. Michael Fleming writes that Fanfares & Flourishes on An Ostinato (3:44) was commissioned by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Neeme Järvi in cooperation with the 1995 Unisys African-American Composers Residency. He adds that Martha's Waltz (5:20) was inspired by the two couples dancing at the start of Act II of the play Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, by Edward Albee.

Alvin Singleton (b. 1940), Unisys Composer-in-Residence for 1996-97, wrote BluesKonzert (14:37). In the liner notes, Michael Fleming says: “Alvin Singleton's BluesKonzert was a triple commission by the Detroit, Houston and Kansas City symphony orchestras, made possible by a grant from the Meet the Composer/Reader's Digest Commissioning Program, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund.” The piano soloist is Ursula Oppens, while the conductor is Leslie B. Dunner, of whom the liner notes say: “Between 1988 and 1998, Dr. Leslie B. Dunner held the posts of assistant, associate and resident conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.” Michael Fleming and Tiffany Dziurman Stozicki provide an overview of the many compositions of Duke Ellington (1899-1974), whose work on the recording is Three Black Kings (17:55). Its movements are: I. King of Magi, II. King Solomon, and III. Martin Luther King.

'Amistad' by Anthony Davis Elicits Comment from South American

Last month AfriClassical posted “New York Times: 'Amistad' by Composer Anthony Davis Returns to Stage At Spoleto U.S.A.” Yesterday a comment was made on the post: “Here in South America, I only have heard Anthony Davis's works as a jazzman; it's impossible to reach other works from him (even his jazz works are almost impossible to reach here). I really admire him, and I'm glad to see this news about his work. Thanks, Pablus.”