presents
RAVEL - A Musical Journey
May 1, 2020 8pm Powell Hall
Stéphane Denève, conductor
Didi Balle, playwright & director
Scott Lowell, actor
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano
Kelley O'Connor, mezzo-soprano
RAVEL - A Musical Journey
May 1, 2020 8pm Powell Hall
Stéphane Denève, conductor
Didi Balle, playwright & director
Scott Lowell, actor
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano
Kelley O'Connor, mezzo-soprano
ABOUT: “Ravel: A Musical Journey takes audiences on a musical-theatrical exploration of his life from childhood to early fame (Part I) to a whirlwind 1928 American tour (Part 2) where he’s befriended by George Gershwin. In Part 3, Ravel revels in Morocco. Returning home he confronts an illness, which prevents him from speaking, writing music or playing the piano. How will he prevail?” Members of the New World Symphony, vocalists and pianist performing excerpts from: L’enfant et les sortilèges Ma mère l'Oye Daphnis and Chloe Histoires naturelles Alborada del gracioso Pavane pour une infante défunte Chansons madécasses Concerto pour la main gauche |
WORLD PREMIERE
APRIL 2018 The New World Symphony Stéphane Denéve, Conductor Playwright & Stage Director Didi Balle Luke Kritzekc, Lighting Designer Dona Granata, Costumer Designer Clyde Scott, Projection Designer April 14, 2018: New World Center Commission: The New World Symphony Cast Actor: Scott Lowell as Maurice Ravel with Mezzo-soprano: Kelley O’Connor Mezzo-soprano: Kara Dugan Tenor: Aaron Crouch Piano: Kyu Yeon Kim |
Balle’s intelligently conceived dramatic biography ranged through Ravel’s shy, dreamy childhood to his discovery of American jazz and friendship with George Gershwin to the final tragedy of a degenerative condition that rendered Ravel unable to play the piano and putting notes to paper. A nearly flawless fusion of musical biography and theater. _ L. Budmen, South Florida Classical Review Full Review