NY Philharmonic's LE GRAND MACABRE Features Rob Besserer As Atmosphericist 5/27-29

The New York Philharmonic's upcoming production of György Ligeti's 1975-77 opera, LE GRAND MACABRE, will feature the newly-created role of Atmosphericist, to be played by actor/dancer Rob Besserer, from May 27th to 29th. In this silent role - which was conceived specifically for the production - Mr. Besserer will serve as the performer of the "live animation" taking place on stage, as created by director/designer Doug Fitch.

Rob Besserer is an Obie- and Bessie Award-winning former dancer, who has worked with many choreographers and directors. As part of his role in LE GRAND MACABRA, he will manipulate the more than 300 miniature models and sets Mr. Fitch has created that will be filmed live onstage during the performances via two cameras on two filming stations or "toy theaters."

According to Edouard Getaz, the producer of LE GRAND MACABRE, Mr. Besserer was chosen not only because he and Doug Fitch knew his work, but particularly because of his impressive appearance in the silent role of Ambrogio in The Metropolitan Opera's current production of Bartlett Scher's production of Rossini's THE BARBER OF SEVILLE. In 2011 Mr. Besserer will be featured in Mr. Scher's new Met production of Rossini's LE COMPTE ORY. He now calls himself a "movement character actor with extensive dance training."

LE GRAND MACABRE, which employs a large cast of singers in addition to the musicians of the Philharmonic, is set in an "anytime" century and follows a character named Nekrotzar - who may or may not represent Death - as he arrives in the fantastical kingdom of Breughelland to announce the end of the world in a city of skyscrapers strewn with litter and populated by vagrants. Nekrotzar encounters a variety of whimsical and grotesque characters, including the drunkard Piet the Pot; Prince Go-Go, Breughelland's obese boy ruler; the lovers Amanda and Amando; the transvestite astronomer Astradamors and his nymphomaniac wife Mescalina; and a host of others.

All performances will be at the Avery Fisher Hall. The May 27th performance is at 7:30 p.m. while the 28th and the 29th performances are at 8:00 p.m. Single tickets for the performances of LE GRAND MACABRE are $31 to $112. Tickets for Pre-Concert Talks, which are one hour before each concert and are hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, Paul Moravec are $5. Tickets for the Open Rehearsal, on May 26th at 9:30 a.m., are $16.00. All tickets may be purchased online at nyphil.org or by calling (212) 875-5656, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets may also be purchased at the Avery Fisher Hall Box Office or the Alice Tully Hall Box Office at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 65th Street. The Box Office opens at 10:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and at noon on Sunday.

On performance evenings, the Box Office closes one-half hour after performance time; other evenings it closes at 6:00 p.m. A limited number of $12 tickets for select concerts may be available through the Internet for students within 10 days of the performance, or in person the day of. Valid identification is required. To determine ticket availability, call the Philharmonic's Customer Relations Department at (212) 875-5656.