Bridgeport, CT – GBS is telling tales! A modern folk tale, Love Like Water, will highlight GBS’ November 2 concert at The Klein, blending Dvořák’s “Moravian Duets” – sung in Czech by mezzo-soprano Jazimina MacNeil and soprano Sarah Shafer – with the telling of MacNeil’s new tale, in this world-premiere of Lembit Beecher’s arrangement. “We are always finding ways of making the great music of the past relevant to today’s world,” says GBS conductor Eric Jacobsen. “Jazimina’s tale of love and tolerance, set to the incredible music of Dvořák, composed 140 years ago, is a great message for the world in which we’re living.”
MacNeil , whom The New York Times calls “…a singer to watch…” has performed with GBS before, having sung the words of Walt Whitman to Mason Bates’ Passage last November. She and Shafer, of whom the New York Classical Review says “…the variety in her voice, changing color and character on a dime, seamlessly switching between registers, and singing with playful relish,” have performed the Duets previously, but never before with the infusion of the folk tale and Beecher’s arrangement.
GBS is also thrilled to present the renowned actor Keir Dullea as narrator for the premiere. Dullea is known worldwide for his seminal performance as astronaut Dave Bowman in Stanley Kubrick’s iconic 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Dullea, who also appeared with GBS last season, reading Kipling’s poem “The Moon” to the music of GBS last March, is excited about the Eastern European feel of this concert; his next project will be filmed in Budapest later in November.
The second half of the concert will be dedicated to Dvořák’s influence and mentor, Johannes Brahms, with the playing of his great “Fourth Symphony.” “The concert comes full circle,” says GBS Executive Director Mark Halstead, “starting with Dvořák’s music blending into today with Love Like Water, then going back to the roots of Dvořák himself with Brahms. It’s a saga of time travel.” Upon its premiere in 1885, Brahms “Fourth” was described as being “like a dark well; the longer we look into it, the more brightly the stars shine back.” The piece continues to be performed regularly today, a milestone in music that builds a bridge from Beethoven, through Brahms, to Dvořák, and now, to Love Like Water.
GBS’ 20/20 Visions season began on September 21, with a combination of Tchaikovsky and the exotic sounds of the East, with members of the Silkroad Ensemble, now being produced for commercial sale. The next concert is Solstice on December 21 at The Klein, a holiday spectacular anchored by the Bach “Christmas Oratorio.”
Tickets are on sale now from $15 to $59 on www.GBS.org. Subscriptions at 15% off regular pricing, and Family Pack Deals – “Bring a Family of Five for as Little as $55.50!” – are available by calling GBS at (203)576-0263. Groups of 10 or more are also eligible for deep discounts. (Ticketing charges apply to all sales.) All concerts are on Saturday evenings at 8:00pm at the fabulous Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, with ample free, lighted parking across the street.