Newsletter: LA Times Feature, Upcoming Public Shoot, and Spring 2017 Release!
Hello to our ever-growing Vireo community!
We have some exciting updates for the Vireo project as production for my episodic, made-for-broadcast opera continues.
In-depth feature in The Los Angeles Times
Vireo was featured in the Los Angeles Times this past weekend! Journalist Carolina A. Miranda, who visited the Episode 5 shoot in January, wrote this wonderful piece about our episodic opera. She interviewed director Charles Otte, librettist Erik Ehn, soprano Rowen Sabala, Grand Central Art Center Director John Spiak, and me, and I love some of the quotes she used.
"There's a massive potential for disaster," says Otte. "But somehow we all know we are going to pull it off."
"We are not agenda driven," says GCAC director John Spiak. "It's about realizing an artist's creative vision."
And I told Carolina, "My terror index has gone down steadily. But you don't want it to go too far. I like to operate at the limits of my skill set."
Upcoming shoot for Episode 7, "Dismal Pure Inane"
Shooting for Episode 7 is just around the corner, and we are opening our doors to a small public audience to view the production. The public session takes place May 15, 4:30-6:00pm, at a studio in Downtown LA. If you're interested in attending click here to find out more and RSVP.
Emma MacKenzie, a talented young soprano from the San Francisco Girls Chorus, will perform for the first time in the role of our newest character, Caroline, who is Vireo's mysterious twin sister and makes all kinds of trouble. In addition to the core cast, Episode 7 features the virtuosic PRISM Saxophone Quartet and PARTCH, an LA-based ensemble featuring the eccentric microtonal instruments created by Northern California icon, outsider artist and composer/instrument builder, Harry Partch.
Vireo release set for spring 2017
We are delighted to announce that in spring 2017, KCET will release the entire Vireo season all at once for free, on-demand streaming - a first for the network!
In the meantime, we are looking forward to continuing production with amazing cast, production team, and musicians across the country.
All the best, Lisa Bielawa
