american opera projects plays arvo pärt
american opera projects plays arvo pärt
Composed by arvo pärt
aop-commissioned english translation by cori ellison
AOP Plays Arvo Pärt is an hour-length concert for Bang on a Can’s Long Play on May 3, 2025 in celebration of composer Arvo Pärt’s 90th birthday. In partnership with String Orchestra of Brooklyn and GHOSTLIGHT Chorus, the concert features The Abbot Agathon (L’ábbé Agathon) with soprano Sarah Moulton Faux, O-Antiphonen, and an a capella arrangement of Sieben Magnificat-Antiphonen with twenty voices.
the abbot agathon
String Orchestra of Brooklyn & Sarah Moulton Faux
O-Antiphonen
String Orchestra of Brooklyn
Sieben Magnificat-Antiphonen
ghostlight chorus
Choral text (translated from German)
1.O Weisheit (O wisdom)
O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Almighty, you encompass the world from one end to the other
with power and moderation, you ordain all things: O come and show us the way of wisdom and of understanding. O Wisdom.2. O Adonai (O Master)
O Adonai, Lord and leader of the house of Israel, in the flaming thorn bush were you revealed to Moses, and on the mountain did you give him your law: O come and free us with your strong arms.
3.O Sproß aus Isais Wurzel (O sprout from the root of Jesse)
O Root of the stem of Jesse, stand forward as a sign for the people, before you the lords of the earth are struck dumb, the people cry out to you: O come and help us, stir yourself, delay no longer.
4. O Schlüssel Davids (O key of David)
O key of David, scepter of the house of Israel, you open something, no one can close it, you close something, and no might will open it: O come and open the prison of darkness and the chain of death.
5. O Morgenstern (O Morning Star)
O Morning Star, gleam of immutable light: shining sun of righteousness: O come and lighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
6. O König aller Völker (O King of all people)
O King of all people, their expectations and desire, cornerstone, which holds together the edifice, O come and help mankind which you constructed on earth!
7. O Immanuel (O Emmanuel)
O Emmanuel, our King and teacher, you hope and savior of the people: O come, hurry and bring us help, you our lord and our God.
CREATORS
Arvo Pärt (born September 11, 1935, Paide, Estonia) is an Estonian composer who developed a style based on the slow modulation of sounds such as those produced by bells and pure voice tones, a technique reminiscent of the medieval Notre-Dame school and the sacred music of Eastern Orthodoxy; Pärt is a devout Orthodox Christian. His major works include the violin concerto Tabula Rasa (1977), Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten (1977), Magnificat-Antiphones (1988), The Beatitudes (1991), and Lamentate (first performed 2003).
Photo by Eric Marinitsch
Arvo Pärt
Composer
Cori Ellison, a leading creative figure in the opera world, has served as staff Dramaturg at Santa Fe Opera, the Glyndebourne Festival, and New York City Opera. Active in developing contemporary opera, she is a founding faculty member of American Lyric Theatre’s Composer Librettist Development Program and has developed new operatic works for companies including Icelandic Opera, Canadian Opera, Norwegian Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Chicago Opera Theater, Arizona Opera, Opera Birmingham, Pittsburgh Opera, and Beth Morrison Projects. She has served as production dramaturg for projects at companies including Salzburg Landestheater, Washington National Opera, Cincinnati Opera, National Sawdust, Opera Boston, and Bard Summerscape. She creates supertitles for opera companies worldwide, and helped launch Met Titles, the Met’s simultaneous translation system. A faculty member at The Juilliard School and the Ravinia Steans Music Institute Program for Singers, she also works with singers at young artist programs and conservatories worldwide.
Cori Ellison
Translator
featured performer
Sarah Moulton Faux is lauded for her “full, silvery soprano” (Opera News) and “mesmerizing” performances (Brooklyn Spectator) in repertoire ranging from opera’s most famous heroines to contemporary works. Sarah recently made her BAM debut singing two roles in the World Premiere of The Climate Opera Project (2024). Sarah’s upcoming album "YULIYA" featuring the art songs of Julia Weissberg Rimsky-Korsakov (1880-1942) and produced by multiple Grammy award winner Judith Sherman, will be released by Azica Records in 2025. For her debut album, "Where Should This Music Be? Songs of Lola Williams” (New World Records), Sarah is the 2022 Winner of the America Prize: “Sarah Moulton Faux is stunning: her devotion to this music shines through her every syllable…a glorious disc” (Colin Clarke, Fanfare Magazine). An ardent champion of new work particularly by women composers, Sarah received the 2023 Opera America National Opera Trustee Recognition Award for her service as Co-President of the Board of Directors of American Opera Projects. A graduate of Barnard College in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies, Sarah holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance & Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College.
Sarah Moulton Faux
Soprano
partners
STRING ORCHESTRA OF BROOKLYN
The String Orchestra of Brooklyn (SOB) is a unique community of musicians who come together in a supportive environment to enrich the life of our communities through music. Embracing an inclusive approach to music-making, the SOB seeks to democratize both the production and reception of concert music. Founded in 2007 by artistic director Eli Spindel, the String Orchestra of Brooklyn is “quickly solidifying its role as a major orchestral figure in the borough” (I Care if You Listen), providing an enriching creative outlet to hundreds of musicians, and accessible, adventurous programming to thousands of concertgoers and community members. https://thesob.org/
Ghostlight Chorus
GHOSTLIGHT CHORUS is a chamber choir based in New York City. Founded in 2010 by artistic director Dr. Evelyn DeGraf, the choir is comprised of experienced singers who collectively strive for superior musicality, intonation, and choral blend. Acclaimed as “beautiful” by Vogue, “first-class” by Time Out New York, and “simply one of the best vocal ensembles” by Maine’s Press Herald, GHOSTLIGHT pursues both high-quality musicianship and a comprehensive repertoire, with a commitment to original concert programming and frequent world premieres. Recent performance highlights include: Genius Festival at the 92nd Street Y; PS1 Benefit at New York’s Museum of Modern Art; sold-out concerts in prolific venues in Germany; concert tours in the United States’ East and West coasts; and live performances with the Rolling Stones. In 2015, the New York ensemble won 3rd prize in the 14th International Chamber Choir Competition in Marktoberdorf, Germany. https://www.ghostlightchorus.com/
BANG ON A CAN’S LONG PLAY FESTIVAL
PRESS
"The Guggenheim Museum’s Peter B. Lewis Theater was host to American Opera Projects’ and Works & Process’ presentation of four works: three by the Estonian minimalist Arvo Pärt and one by the British-born, New York based Tarik O’Regan (who named Pärt as one of his inspirations). The 75 minute show was sometimes puzzling, sometimes riveting and always interesting. As always, AOP’s experiments require attention..."
— Robert Levine, Classics Today
Information
Duration 60' / no intermission
Commission The English language translation of The Abbot Agathon by Cori Ellison was commissioned by American Opera Projects. The May 2025 concert is produced by American Opera Projects for Bang on a Can’s Long Play Festival
Premiere The English language translation of The Abbot Agathon premiered in January 2008 as part of the Works & Process program at the Guggenheim.
Roles 1 Soprano, SA Choir / SSAATTBB
Instrumentation String Orchestra
Publisher Universal Edition