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North Cambridge Family Opera Company to Perform First U.S. Production of “Antiphony”
— Cast of children and adults stages children’s opera on how music can brighten even the dullest lives—
Cambridge, MA, February 1, 2001 — The North Cambridge Family Opera Company (NCFOC) announced that it will stage the children’s opera “Antiphony” at the M.E. Fitzgerald School at 70 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge. The show will be performed Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 15, 16 and 17 and 22, 23 and 24. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 pm and the Sunday shows are at 3 pm. Tickets are $5/children, $10/adults, $25 families, and $5/each for groups of 10 or more.
A story about how music can brighten even the dullest lives, “Antiphony” was written by British composer Graham Preskett and librettist John Kane. The U.S. production is directed by Cambridge resident and NCFOC founder David Bass, and performed by a cast of children and adults. The one-hour, 2-act opera was commissioned by the London-based W11 Opera for Young People and premiered in 1994. Characters include some industrious worker ants, a squad of cowardly soldier ants, a scheming fly, and a charming -- but ambitious -- grasshopper reminiscent of the Music Man. The opera is full of catchy tunes written in a variety of musical styles and will appeal to all ages.
“The term ‘opera’ may sound imposing, but an opera is simply a story told through song,” explains Bass. “In fact, “Antiphony” is particularly appropriate for children because it is based on a world of small creatures, and because of its theme of the triumph of music over the forces of boredom and ill will. The title 'antiphony' is a play on words, referring both to a conflict between two ant colonies as well as to a musical form with competing choruses.”
Joining the North Cambridge Family Opera Company on this production are well-known choreographer Deborah Mason of the Deborah Mason School of Dance, set designer Dale Senechal, former technical director of the Boston Opera, and dramatic director Shellie Leger, who founded the Living Arts Stage in NYC. All cast and crew are volunteers, as is Bass, who studied music at Yale before taking up a career in chemical engineering.
Previous NCFOC productions include Bass’s original compositions “Space Opera” – featuring the hilarious adventures of everyone’s favorite robots, aliens, and heroes; and “The Coronation of Esther” – based on the Biblical tale of a young Jewish girl who finds herself unexpectedly a Queen.
Now in its fourth year of operation, the NCFOC began as an informal group of children and adults. “We found the experience of singing opera to be a unique way to strengthen families, to build friendships, and to enhance the relationships between generations,” says Bass. “The philosophy of the NCFOC is to welcome all who want to sing and perform.”
About the North Cambridge Family Opera Company. The NCFOC is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is to provide children and adults the opportunity to experience and enjoy the telling of story through song. NCFOC performs contemporary light operas based on stories appealing to both children and adults, and are musically accessible to children but sophisticated enough to hold the interest of adults. Productions are financed through grants, donations, volunteerism and ticket sales. Participants are asked to donate money based on their ability to pay. In addition to regularly scheduled performances, the NCFOC is available to perform at schools and other organizations. For more information visit http://www.familyopera.com
Calendar listing
The non-profit North Cambridge Family Opera Company performs the children’s opera “Antiphony” at the M.E. Fitzgerald School, 70 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 15, 16 and 17 and 22, 23 and 24. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 pm and the Sunday shows are at 3 pm. The cast of children and adults performs this original light opera on how music can brighten even the dullest lives. Characters include some industrious worker ants, a squad of cowardly soldier ants, a scheming fly, and a charming -- but ambitious -- grasshopper. Antiphony is full of catchy tunes written in a variety of musical styles, and will appeal to all ages.
Tickets are $5/children, $10/adults, $25/family, and $5/each for groups of 10 or more. Reserve in advance for a free concession coupon with your ticket.
For information and reservations visit http://www.familyopera.com or call 781 641-2073.