VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert Presents Kurt Weill's STREET SCENE, 2/1

VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert enters the new year with Kurt Weill's STREET SCENE, an unblinking look at tenement life in New York City circa 1946, based on Elmer Rice's play of the same name, with lyrics by Langston Hughes. This production marks the Canadian Premiere of Weill's landmark American Opera and continues the company's exploration of operatic social comment in the 20th Century, begun so memorably in November with de Falla's LA VIDA BREVE starring Isabel Bayrakdarian.

STREET SCENE will be presented at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts on February 1, 2015 at 2:30 pm with Robert Cooper, C.M. conducting the orchestra, cast and chorus. "Our mandate is 'rarities in performance' and Weill's legendary American Opera could not be a better fit" says General Director Silva-Marin. "From his arrival in New York in 1935, it seemed only a matter of time before Weill composed an opera and I'm thrilled we can present this unique work to our Canadian audience."

STREET SCENE stars Monica Whicher as the adulterous Anna Maurrant, Jennifer Taverner as her idealistic daughter Roseand Colin Ainsworth as Sam, Rose's suitor. Diego Catala will be heard as the murderous Frank Maurrant. Weill's Manhattan street is home to the American melting pot of nationalities and attitudes and OIC's denizens include: Leigh-Ann Allen, Michelle Garlough, Anna Belikova, Janaka Welihinda, Keenan Viau, Domenico Sanfilippo, Gregory Finney, Sean Catheroy, Austin Larusson, Edward Larocque, and Fabian Arciniegas.

Weill's output continues to defy categorization. He was a student of Busoni and Humperdinck in Berlin; one of his greatest songs (J'attends un navire) was used by the French resistance and he heartily embraced Broadway, leading his European fans to accuse him of selling out to the almighty dollar. Weill himself summed his philosophy up best in a New York Sun interview from 1940: "I have never acknowledged the difference between 'serious' music and 'light' music. There is only good music and bad music. Schönberg has said he is writing for a time 50 years after his death. But the great classical composers wrote for their contemporary audiences. They wanted those who heard their music to understand it, and they did. For myself, I write for today, I don't give a damn about writing for posterity."

'Lonely House', 'Let things be like they always was' and 'Wrapped in a ribbon and tied with a bow' are three of the songs that have crossed over from the stage to the concert hall whether sung by opera stars from the original production or jazz singers in the smoky nightclubs of the 50s and 60s.

Save this dates!! March 29, 2015 - Charpentier's LOUISE with Leslie Ann Bradley, Michèle Bodganowicz and Dion Mazerolle.

Opera in Concert is supported by the Jackman Foundation, Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and theToronto Arts Council. Single tickets are available from the St. Lawrence Centre's Box Office, 27 Front St. East, by phone -416-366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754 - or online at www.stlc.com. The theatre is wheelchair accessible and close to public transit and municipal parking. All performances are on Sunday afternoons at the St. Lawrence Centre at 2:30pm.