Opera Ithaca Presents BULLY PULPIT

Opera Ithaca presents the regional premiere of Bully Pulpit, a 20 minute English-language opera electronica from composer Kristin Hevner and librettist Royce Vavrek.

Bully Pulpit examines the words and influence of twelve world leaders throughout history including current politicians and pop culture icons. The libretto is crafted from direct quotes from these important figures and is combined with a score which uses hip-hop, rap and R&B combined with operatic singing. The singers perform with electronic accompaniment tracks mixed and mastered by the composer alongside Grammy winning producer, Daniel Wyatt.

Bully Pulpit was commissioned by Opera Ithaca General Director, Zachary James, and developed by Metropolis Opera Project, its world premiere playing Medicine Show Theatre in 2010. Opera Ithaca will present the second production ever of the opera. Bully Pulpit is directed and produced by Ellen Jackson and stars Benno Ressa as Bully, Natasha Bratkovski as George W. Bush and Fidel Castro, Haley Evanoski as Ellen Degeneres and Adolph Hitler, Kathleen Maloney as Saddam Huddein, Carli Mazich-Addice as Richard Nixon and Mother Teresa, Rachel Silverstein as Andrew Jackson and Oprah Winfrey and Sarah Welden as Rosie O'Donnell and Margaret Thatcher.

Opera Ithaca's production of Bully Pulpit will play The Cherry Artspace Thursday, January 11 with three showings at 7:30pm, 8:15pm and 9:15pm. Admission is free and tickets are not required. Bully Pulpit is made possible with generous support of Stacia Zabusky and Donald Spector and Pinnisi and Anderson Law Firm. The presentation of the opera continues Opera Ithaca's commitment to regularly produce the work of female composers. Opera Ithaca is believed to be the only opera company in the world committed to producing works by female composers every season.

For more information, please visit www.OperaIthaca.org.

Opera Ithaca was founded in 2014 by Zachary James and Lynn Craver. Opera Ithaca has presentedBluebeard's Castle, the professional premiere of Il Sogno, the world premiere of Billy Blythe, Don Giovanni, Die Fledermaus, Masquerade, Abduction from the Seraglio, The Pirates of Penzance, Pagliacci, Cinderellaand dozens of concerts, community outreach and educational events including the Edward M. Murray International Competition of Voice. Opera Ithaca's 4thseason continues with Tosca, Carmen and Missy Mazzoli's Song from the Uproar.

Photo Credit: Composer, Kristin Hevner