Encompass New Opera Theatre to Present A WAKE OR A WEDDING, Begin. 11/6

Approaching its 40th Anniversary, Encompass New Opera Theatre has announced the New York City premiere of the new opera A Wake or a Wedding (Deception! Madness! Butterflies!), written by the gifted American composer Richard Pearson Thomas.

Eight fully staged performances, complete with an 11 piece orchestra, will take place in the company's new home, the 220-seat Rose Nagelberg Theatre at the Baruch Performing Arts Center (BPAC), 55 Lexington Avenue, New York beginning Thursday, November 6 through Sunday, November 16 (Thursday, Nov, 6 at 8 PM; Friday, November 7 at 8 PM; Saturday, November 8 at 8 PM; Sunday, November 9 at 3 PM; Thursday, November 13 at 8 PM; Friday, November 14 at 8 PM; Saturday, November 15 at 8 PM; and Sunday, November 16 at 3 PM. Run time is 90 minutes.

Set in 1898 in a mansion teetering on the edge of a mining pit in Butte, Montana, this delightful opera resonates with messages relevant for today through the intricacies of several surprising relationships. A Wake or a Weddingis akin to a mix of a Chekhov comedy with the hit long-running television show Dallas joined with a spirited and engaging lyric opera score. This sparkling, fast paced work will have audiences laughing from beginning to end. Eight eccentric characters, each with their own flair and comedic chops, take the audience on a lively musical journey.

The particular lore of his native state has long fascinated Thomas. "Yes, I grew up in Montana, but not in Butte (the setting of A Wake or a Wedding) that is a world unto itself. 100 years ago in the height of the Gilded Age, the Copper Kings (wealthy industrialists who fought fierce fights over the local mining industry), bought up politicians to assure their personal agendas of getting even richer. Sound familiar? Meanwhile, the mining pit kept growing, eventually devouring their homes. Reawakening is one of the themes of A Wake or a Wedding, so what better place to set it than in a mansion, tottering on the edge of a real pit," commented the composer.

The ruthless copper king Pierpont Mackerel Davenport has dropped dead on the eve of the wedding of his daughter Velena-Sue Davenport (soprano Caroline Miler). His household is turned on end by the arrival of the Opera Diva extraordinaire Marcella Morella (mezzo-soprano Joy Herman) and the hobnobber in tow Raimondi Vecchiofaraone (tenor Eapen Leubner) who begs the question: is he from Egypt or Cairo, Illinois? Other characters include the butler Smelt (bass baritone Adrian Rosas), Miss O'Dell (soprano Lindsay Rider), Deidre Davenport (soprano Alison Davy) and the groom Jack Highstraw (baritone Scott Lindroth) - a lepidopterist no less.

Encompass Founder Nancy Rhodes is the Artistic Director, and Mara Waldman the Music Director, who will conduct the 11 piece orchestra. A Wake or a Wedding was commissioned and premiered by the California State University at Fullerton Opera Theatre. "I greatly admire Encompass for their commitment to the production of new American works and am delighted to be working with them again," remarked Thomas.

Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling OvationTix at (866) 811-4111 or in person at the BPAC Box Office which is open from 11am-8: 30 pm Monday through Saturday and two hours prior to curtain on Sundays, except for major holidays. The Box Office phone number is (646) 312-5073 Tickets range in price from $20- $60 with special pricing for students and seniors.

The entrance to BPAC's Rose Nagelberg Theatre and to the BPAC Box Office (55 Lexington Avenue) is on East 25th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues.

Founded in 1975, Encompass New Opera Theatre is dedicated to the celebration of new composers and their works through innovative productions. Encompass looks forward to the celebration of its 40th Anniversary during the 2015-2016 Season.