From the press release
“Large splashes of primary colors, undulating waves of energy, exotic landscapes, and bare breasts sensual and provocative: All come to mind at the thought of French painter Paul Gauguin’s oeuvre. All these varied aspects of his supreme artistry, including the controversial writings published in his Intimate Journals, have been brought to life in West Edge Opera’s marvelous production of Fabrizio Carlone’s chamber opera, Bonjour M. Gauguin. Running for only two more performances next weekend, the production is such a success that it demands to be experienced in all its multifaceted wonder.”
Jason Victor Serinus, San Francisco Classical Voice, April 6, 2013
“One minute you’re sitting in a well-appointed El Cerrito theater, watching opera, that highest of high arts — watching a production about a postimpressionist painter, no less — and then, all of a sudden, in the middle of the second act, there it is, bare bodies and a bare mattress onstage. It’s surprising, but then again, so are lots of things about Bonjour M. Gauguin, West Edge Opera’s excellent new show.”
Ellen Cushing, East Bay Express, April 10, 2013
“Altogether an engaging performance, this production boasts an excellent chamber orchestra and superb vocalists and dancers. The sparsely furnished stage set allows the vibrant colors of the paintings and the costumes to shine. The multimedia presentation helps move the story along and is an updated way to present supertitles. Froehlich is truly a triple threat (singer, vocalist, and dancer) not to be missed and the beauty of Sulker’s voice left me wanting to hear more.”
Gabriela McElligot, Repeat Performance, April 6, 2013
BONJOUR M.GAUGUIN
Chamber opera based on original texts by Gauguin and his contemporaries.
Music, Libretto and Concept
FABRIZIO CARLONE
WEST EDGE OPERA
El Cerrito Performing Arts Theater
6, 12, 14 April 2013 – American premiere
A collaboration with KUNST-STOFF Dance Company and SfSoundGroup
in French and English with English supertitles
Conductor/Music Director
MARY CHUN
Director/Choreographer
YANNIS ADONIOU
Associate Director/Dramaturg
MARK STRESHINSKY
CAST
Paul Gauguin
ANDERS FROELICH
Gauguin’s Inner Voice
SHAWNETTE SULKER
First Narrator,
Vincent Van Gogh, Eugène Tardieau, Le Curé, Stephane Mallarmé, Claude Monet
KEITH PERRY
Second Narrator,
Camille Pissarro, Brunetière, Julien Leclercq
PAUL MURRAY
Third Narrator,
Lucien Pissaro, Teura, Jean Dolent, Mette Gauguin
NICOLE TAKESONO
Parisians/Tahitians
YANNIS ADONIU, JEREMY BANNON-NECHE, LINDSEY RENEE DERRY, KATIE GAYDOS, KATE JORDAN
Performed by
SF SOUND GROUP ORCHESTRA
Assistant conductor
JASON SHERBUNDY
Video Designer
JEREMY KNIGHT
Lighting Designer
LUCAS KRECH
Costume Designer
SHANNON MAXHAM
Make-up
JASON HENRICKS
Scenic Construction
STEVE ESTRELLA
Links
WEST EDGE OPERA:
https://www.westedgeopera.org
MARY CHUN:
https://www.earplay.org/www/bios.php?id=Chun
YANNIS ADONIOU:
https://akropoditi.com/dancefest/en/portfolio/yannis-adoniou/
KUNST-STOFF:
http://www.kunst-stoff.org
MARK STRESHINSKY:
https://www.westedgeopera.org/board-staff
ANDERS FROELICH:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anders-froehlich-74750028
SHAWNETTE SULKER:
https://www.shawnettesulker.com
PAUL MURRAY:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-murray-37ab377a
NICOLE TAKESONO:
https://sunsetarts.wordpress.com/nicole-takesono-mezzo-soprano-in-recital/
sfSOUND GROUP:
http://sfsound.org/group.html
JEREMY KNIGHT:
http://echidnamedia.com/vid/
SHANNON MAXHAM:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-maxham-39136839
LUCAS KRECH:
http://lucaskrech.com/main/