Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Santa Fe New Music presents "Pahayokee: A Plea for Life"


I would love to hear this concert on Thursday, February 25th, when Santa Fe New Music presents Pahayokee: A Plea for Life. The music is a dramatic environmental oratorio describing the current plight of the "River of Grass," the Florida Everglades. Composed by Jack Tamul, the work is a fervent plea to save one of the Earth's most unique environments. It combines traditional and sacred sound forms, the singing of baritone John Boehr, and ambient recordings of birds, frogs, and insects. The natural sounds are an integral part of the structure and impact of the piece, with the vocalist singing in and with the soundscapes of the Everglades.

You can hear some of the music at this link, learning more about efforts to save the "Foreverglades." .

John Boehr has sung leading baritone roles with many opera companies, including Austin Lyric Opera, the Minnesota Opera, and the Santa Fe Opera, where he sang a lead role in the 2007 Opera Trinity, written by SFNM's John Kennedy (my brother).

In 2008 Boehr performed Dandini in La Cenerentola with both Austin Lyric Opera and Opera Fairbanks. He  is currently working with the New York City Opera, covering the title role in Don Giovanni, and in 2010 will be performing the role of Tapioca in the Austin Lyric Opera production of L'Étoile.



Pahayokee: A Plea for Life is presented in association with the Santa Fe Art Institute; it is a benefit for the Santa Fe Conservation Trust. I know that my young nieces Jasmine and Jade (lovers of toads, frogs, and all forms of wildlife) will enjoy this; I'll look forward to hearing their impressions.


Pahayokee: A Plea for Life
An Environmental Oratorio
A Benefit for the Santa Fe Conservation Trust
Thursday, February 25, 7 pm
Tipton Hall, Santa Fe Art Institute
Santa Fe Art Institute on the campus of the College of Santa Fe
1600 St. Michael's Drive. Tickets: $25 at the door or through the Santa Fe Conservation Trust

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