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North American Works Directory Listing
| Composer: |
Douglas Cuomo
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| Composer Bio: |
Douglas J. Cuomo has composed highly acclaimed and original music for concert and theatrical stages, television, and film. Cuomo’s expressive musical language, with its arresting juxtapositions of sound and style, is a natural outgrowth of his eclectic background and training. He became a professional guitarist while still in his teens, alternating years of college – studying jazz, world music, and ethnomusicology at Wesleyan University in Connecticut – with years on the road. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Miami.
After two years of touring, Cuomo returned to New York City, where he began to compose scores for downtown theater productions, student films, and television documentaries. In doing so, he developed a notable talent for integrating music, image, and narrative. His numerous film and television credits include the themes for Sex & The City and NOW with Bill Moyers.
In addition to Arjuna’s Dilemma, Cuomo’s concert works include a Kyrie for And on Earth, Peace (2007) commissioned by the vocal ensemble Chanticleer, premiered by the group at the Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and recorded on Warner Music; and Fortune for The Young People's Chorus of New York City under the direction of Francisco Nunez, premiered at the Miller Theatre in April 2008. Forthcoming works include Only Breath for cello and electronics, commissioned by Maya Beiser for an evening-length program titled “Provenance,” to be performed at Arts & Ideas in New Haven, the Ravinia Festival, and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall; and A Winter’s Journey, a setting of Wilhelm Müller’s text for Schubert’s Winterreise song cycle, scored for mezzo-soprano, trumpet, cello, and electronics. His compositions are published by Schott Music.
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| Librettist: |
Text from the Bhagavad Gita
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| Other Artistic Personnel: |
Robin Guarino (Director)
John Kelly (Choreographer)
Donald Eastman (Set Designer)
Gabriel Berry (Costume Designer)
Robert Wierzel (Lighting Designer)
William Cusick (Projection Design)
Alan Johnson (Conductor)
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| Original Cast: |
Amit Chaterjee (Indian Singer)
Tony Boutte (Tenor)
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| Premiere Date: |
August 22, 2008
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| Producing Company: |
Music-Theatre Group
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| Description: |
At the battlefield on the eve of the first conflict of a massive civil war, Prince Arjuna finds himself in a state of almost paralyzing confusion. He must lead his army against an enemy that includes family, friends, and teachers. Unable to justify such violence against his own people, he turns for guidance to his advisor and charioteer Krishna, who has not yet revealed himself to be an incarnation of the most powerful god in the Hindu pantheon.
In the ensuing dialogue, Krishna gradually reveals to Arjuna the true nature of the universe, in all its splendor and its horror.
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| Chorus: |
4 or 8 voice Female Chorus
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| Orchestration: |
1 fl(picc), 1 cl(bcl), 1tsx - 2 perc, tablas - pf - 2 vln, 1 vla, 1 vc, 1 db
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| Musical Style: |
Arjuna’s Dilemma seamlessly melds classical, jazz and traditional Indian musical idioms.
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| Contact: |
Schott Music Corporation
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| Address: |
254 W 31st St
New York, NY
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| Phone: |
212-461-6940
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The Opera Fund Awardee Information
| Award Category: |
2008
Repertoire Development
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| Project Name: |
Arjuna's Dilemma
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| Awardee: |
Music-Theatre Group
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| Director: |
Robin Guarino
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| Conductor: |
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| Designer: |
Hillary Leone
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| Award Category: |
2011 Robert L.B. Tobin Director-Designer Showcase
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| Project Name: |
Arjuna's Dilemma
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| Awardee(s): |
Gian Marco Lo Forte
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| Director: |
Gian Marco Lo Forte
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| Designer: |
Designer: Gian Marco Lo Forte, Costume Designer: Angela Wendt, Lighting Designer: Rocco D'Santi, Mask Design & Puppets: Jane Catherine Shaw, Art: Mark Tambella
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| Choreographer: |
Philip Montana
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"At the battlefield on the eve of the first conflict of a massive civil war, Prince Arjuna finds himself in a state of almost paralyzing confusion. He must lead his army against an enemy that includes family, friends, and teachers. Unable to justify such violence against his own people, he turns for guidance to his advisor and charioteer Krishna, who has not yet revealed himself to be an incarnation of the most powerful god in the Hindu pantheon.
In the ensuing dialogue, Krishna gradually reveals to Arjuna the true nature of the universe, in all its splendor and its horror."
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About the 2011 Robert L.B. Tobin Director-Designer Showcase
This bi-annual program is offered as part of OPERA America’s continuing effort to foster emerging opera artists. The showcase, made possible through support from the Tobin Theatre Arts Fund, has been established to bring promising talent to the attention of the field and connect promising directors and designers with those who are in a position to advance their careers. Twenty-seven director-driven teams submitted proposals for consideration in this second showcase round. Four finalist teams were selected by panelists Donald Eastman, designer; Kevin Patterson, general director, Austin Lyric Opera; Tazewell Thompson, stage director; and Diane Wondisford, producing director, Music-Theatre Group. As opera is an intrinsically collaborative art form, the projects chosen were selected not only because they demonstrate the requisite creativity and skill, but because they display true collaboration, creative vibrancy and collective passion.
Each team is given $2,000 to be used toward further research and the production of more comprehensive renderings and models. Up to two representatives from each finalist team receive travel, lodging and registration to attend Opera Conference 2011 in Boston, MA to present their proposals to opera producers at a special session and to network with conference attendees.
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Schedule of Performances Listings
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What is OPERAAmerica.org?
Spring 2013 Magazine Issue
- Letter from the President/CEO
- Of One: The Quest for Asian Fusion in the Opera House
- Vancouver: Where Nature Nurtures Art
- Inheriting the Wind
- My First Time
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From 42nd Street/Times Square:
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The building is on the same block as the train stop.
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