Chapter I entitled Flight, with Music and Lyrics by Adam Guettel, additional lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, Orchestrations by Don Sebesky and Jamie Lawrence, Ted Sperling, Artistic Director, and Conductor. This first installment begins with a characterization of the nature of religious faith during these secular times, perhaps more poignant under the crushing effects of the international Covid-19 virus. It can be viewed here.
This amalgam of 19th-century protestant hymnody and Greek myths begins with a musical exploration of the legend of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun only to crash. Icarus’ struggles to escape his father’s dominance only to plunge to his demise is characterized through this venue with a rich musical mixture of Rhythm and Blues, gospel, and classical venues enriched by musical theater. A true multi-media experience reimagined for the virtual stage. Comments from YouTube listeners included “love love LOVE this”, Take 6 = Heaven, in the hands of the masters, I’ve been singing this all day, Love Take 6, chilz, bless, Best thing ever, Bravo all, I’m watching again!.
This fabulous multi-media was beautifully filmed with artists at their individual locations presenting the stories of Prometheus, Icarus, a segment entitled Migratory V, Pegasus, and Jesus The Mighty Conqueror through song. Masterfully recorded and mixed soundtracks were best experienced using high-quality headphones. The songs were clever, original, chromatically complex, and effective to tell a story and move the listening participant. The singers and musical accompaniment were outstanding… world-class musicians all.
Tonight’s performance opened with duo pianists Anderson & Roe and performances included work by a cappella gospel music groupTake 6; soloists from the pop, opera, and theatrical landscapes, including Julia Bullock, Renée Fleming, Joshua Henry,Capathia Jenkins, Mykal Kilgore,Norm Lewis, Jose Llana, Kelli O’Hara, and Elizabeth Stanley; with contributions by directors Greg Anderson, Sammi Cannold,Lear deBessonet,Khristian Dentley andTed Sperling; visual artists Yazmany Arboleda, Cloud Chatanda, Steven Kellogg,Lucy Mackinnon, and Danny Mefford; arrangersGreg AndersonandMark Kibble; lyricist Ellen Fitzhugh; and orchestrators Don Sebesky and Jamie Lawrence.
The three subsequent chapters, streaming on February 24, April 14, and May 26 will feature the MasterVoices chorus; soloists Daniel Breaker, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Joshua Henry, Cheyenne Jackson, and Nicholas Phan; actor John Lithgow; directors Trip Cullman, Doug Fitch, Anne Kauffman, and Ted Sperling; visual artist Manik Choksi; lyricist Ellen Fitzhugh; and orchestrators Don Sebesky and Jamie Lawrence, as well as additional artists to be announced at a later date.
I highly recommend tuning in to the upcoming 3 follow-up performances. Be sure to use your stereo system for full aural submersion.
You can also attend private screening events at 6 pm on the eve of each of the Public Premiere release dates, hosted by our own Ted Sperling and the Master Voices Gala Committee. For information click here, reserve seats here, or go to mastervoices.org. Each event includes:
- a live Q & A with the artists
- an online auction
- a virtual cocktail session with the artists.
The three subsequent chapters, streaming on February 24, April 14, and May 26 will feature the MasterVoices chorus; soloists Daniel Breaker, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Joshua Henry, Cheyenne Jackson, and Nicholas Phan; actor John Lithgow; directors Trip Cullman, Doug Fitch, Anne Kauffman, and Ted Sperling; visual artist Manik Choksi; lyricist Ellen Fitzhugh; and orchestrators Don Sebesky and Jamie Lawrence, as well as additional artists to be announced at a later date.
The runtime was about 25 minutes.
Edward A. Kliszus
Performer, conductor, and educator Edward Kliszus began his musical studies at the age of 5 and has since been deeply involved in the fine, performing, and literary arts. He is a long-time and current member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). He studied trumpet performance and music education while attending the Manhattan School of Music and was a student of Mel Broiles, principal trumpet of the New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. His post-graduate studies at New York University focused on trumpet and piano performance, music composition, and analysis of composer Elliott Carter's 1974 work Brass Quintet. He was music director and conductor of the New Jersey based Union Symphony Orchestra for 15 years and has performed at Manhattan's West Village venue Monologues and Madness. He currently focuses his artistic and creative endeavors on writing, music composition, piano jazz, and as a critic for TheFrontRowCenter.com and OpeningNight.Online. He holds a Ph.D. from New York University, Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music, and Bachelor of Music from Nyack College.
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