Acquanetta

ca21150-digital-cover-acquanetta-front.jpg

“Long stretches of Gordon's score channel a doomy, goth-rock energy.” — seth colter walls, New York Times

An homage to the campy and spine-chilling horror films of the 1940s, the stage version of Acquanetta combines theater, opera and film to explore the world of a real-life B-movie star with a mysterious past. Known for her exotic beauty, Acquanetta was the star of such cult films as Captive Wild Woman, Jungle Woman, The Sword of Monte Cristo and Tarzan and the Leopard Woman, before she disappeared from public life.

Michael Gordon’s soaring and often comic score, with text by librettist Deborah Artman, is a vivid metaphor for the ways in which the movie camera manipulates how we see and are seen. The cast of characters, featuring Mikaela Bennett (Acquanetta), Amelia Watkins (Brainy Woman), Eliza Bagg (Ape), Matt Boehler (Director) and Timur (Doctor), reveals inner longings and emotional shadows in a spooky meditation on identity, transformation, stereotypes and typecasting, set in the heyday of Hollywood glamour.

The official studio recording of Acquanetta also features the Bang on a Can Opera Ensemble, conducted by Daniela Candillari, with Courtney Orlando (violin), Caleb Burhans (violin and viola), Ashley Bathgate (cello), Taylor Levine (electric guitar and bass), Greg Chudzik (double and electric bass) and Red Wierenga (keyboard and electronics). The chorus is comprised of members of the Choir of Trinity Wall Street.

Produced and mixed by Damian leGassick
Recorded at Power Station at BerkleeNYC

Artists

Acquanetta
CA21150
Formats: 
CD / Digital
Release Date: 
07/19/2019

Acquanetta (a modern opera by Michael Gordon & Deborah Artman)