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Other Projects: Keepers of the Night
The Keepers of the Night
This childrens opera by composer Peter Ash and librettist Donald Sturrock received its world premiere on 12 July 2007 at the Alex Theater in Glendale, California.
The work was commissioned by the Los Angeles Children's Chorus, who were led by conductor Grant Gershon and directed by Corey Madden. The cast included Lynette Tapia (soprano), Malcolm MacKenzie (baritone), Suzanna Guzman (mezzo-soprano) and Lauren Libaw (soprano).
Keepers of the Night is an original story about four brothers and sisters, who go camping in the forest for the first time, unaware that it is Midsummer's Night and that there is magic is afoot. By accident, the children become involved in the nocturnal animals' annual song contest, and indirectly in the eternal conflict between the forces of order and disorder.
The narrative, essentially one of charm and whimsy, features a cast of bats, fireflies, moths, mosquitoes, frogs, loons, crickets and snakes. However the story also touches upon more serious issues. For the children's magical journey is also a spiritual one. They learn about the differences between heart and head, are faced with issues of justice and injustice, and ultimately of Life and Death. Chloe, the youngest child, feels the emergence of that quality which may distinguish humans from animals - a moral conscience.
Reviews
Carie J. Delmar - OperaOnline
"The performance on July 14 aroused a cheering audience of parents and friends... Professional singers Malcolm MacKenzie (Ozalid) and Suzanna Guzmán (Teri) were role models for their young cast members and were extremely engaging... For all of the children onstage and off, and for the parents who were in the audience, the show was a resounding success."
Alan Rich - LA Weekly
"Keepers of the Night was both an opera-for-children and an opera-with-children that did not insult the musical standards of grown-ups. Many seemed both surprised and delighted at the charm, sophistication and deep beauty of the music... Everyone undergoes some degree of bewitchment, with the wondrous result, becoming increasingly wondrous as the second act moves on, of a series of ensembles of truly bewitching, complex harmonies. Evocations of Brittens own Dream are hard to dispel... On the one hand, here was Suzanna Guzmán, wonderful to hear and hilarious in her many-legged spider getup. (Eat yer heart out, Tobey Maguire!)"
Wendy Kikkert - Beverly Hills Outlook
"With a fourteen-piece orchestra, Peter Ash created an atmospheric, haunting, evocative score. His writing for childrens chorus shimmered, particularly the Hymn to the Tree; his contrapuntal writing, layering each group of children as they were dramatically introduced on stage, was dazzling."
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