The New Opera Theatre
Encyclopedia
The New Opera Theatre was a New Orleans-based opera
company founded in 1986, with conductor Louise LaBruyère as Music Director and stage director Brian Morgan serving as Artistic Director. It specialized in experimental productions of both ancient and contemporary opera.
The ensemble's first production was in April 1987, the world-premiere of Morgan's post-minimalist opera, s ("a concerto for stage director"), with Phyllis Treigle
as E, and LaBruyère conducting.
This was followed later the same year by Hänsel und Gretel, with identical-twins Libbye and Cyril Hellier in the title roles. In 1988, The NOT produced, in collaboration with I Cantori di New York, Dido and Æneas, with Thaïs St Julien
as Dido and Susannah Waters
as Belinda, with Bart Folse conducting. The production was first seen at New York City
's Symphony Space
, then in New Orleans.
In 1989, The NOT presented the New Orleans premiere of Pelléas et Mélisande (with Tracey Mitchell as Mélisande), which was followed by Bastien und Bastienne, and the world-premiere of Dr LaBruyère's Everyman, after the mediæval Morality Play
.
The New Opera Theatre's final presentation was of a Benefit Concert, in the fall of 1989, featuring Natalia Rom
. Folse and Morgan went on to found Opera Quotannis
, in New York.
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
company founded in 1986, with conductor Louise LaBruyère as Music Director and stage director Brian Morgan serving as Artistic Director. It specialized in experimental productions of both ancient and contemporary opera.
The ensemble's first production was in April 1987, the world-premiere of Morgan's post-minimalist opera, s ("a concerto for stage director"), with Phyllis Treigle
Phyllis Treigle
Phyllis Treigle is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and is a noted American soprano, and the daughter of the great bass-baritone Norman Treigle...
as E, and LaBruyère conducting.
This was followed later the same year by Hänsel und Gretel, with identical-twins Libbye and Cyril Hellier in the title roles. In 1988, The NOT produced, in collaboration with I Cantori di New York, Dido and Æneas, with Thaïs St Julien
Thais St Julien
Thaïs St Julien is a native of New Orleans, and is argurably the South's foremost singer of Early Music. The soprano studied under Charles Paddock, Virginia MacWatters and Norma Newton, and is Co-Director of the New Orleans Musica da Camera, which specialises in music of the Middle Ages and the...
as Dido and Susannah Waters
Susannah Waters
Susannah Waters is a British soprano. Born in London, England, she attended both Bennington College and the Guildhall School of Music.She made her New York debut early in her career, as Belinda in Dido and Æneas at Symphony Space , a production that toured to New Orleans...
as Belinda, with Bart Folse conducting. The production was first seen at New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's Symphony Space
Symphony Space
Symphony Space is a multi-disciplinary performing arts organization at 2537 Broadway on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Performances take place in the 760-seat Peter Jay Sharp Theatre or the 160-seat Leonard Nimoy Thalia theater. Programs include music, dance, theater, film, and literary readings...
, then in New Orleans.
In 1989, The NOT presented the New Orleans premiere of Pelléas et Mélisande (with Tracey Mitchell as Mélisande), which was followed by Bastien und Bastienne, and the world-premiere of Dr LaBruyère's Everyman, after the mediæval Morality Play
Morality Play
Morality Play is a semi-historical detective novel by Barry Unsworth. The book, published in 1995 by Hamish Hamilton was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.-Synopsis:...
.
The New Opera Theatre's final presentation was of a Benefit Concert, in the fall of 1989, featuring Natalia Rom
Natalia Rom
Natalia Rom, soprano, was born in Kazan, in the Soviet Union , and graduated from the Leningrad Conservatory. In late 1976, she emigrated to New Orleans, where she attended Loyola University's College of Music, where she studied voice with Patricia Havranek...
. Folse and Morgan went on to found Opera Quotannis
Opera Quotannis
Opera Quotannis was a New York-based opera company which was founded in 1990, with conductor Bart Folse as Music Director and stage director Brian Morgan serving as Artistic Director...
, in New York.