James Drew

When asked about his Nighttown Operatheatre and his view of opera today, James Drew answered with the following: “New music that is to be valued is in danger in the United States. Particularly opera … why are most American operas just a one shot premiere? What kind of music world are we prisoners of? What’s the reason audiences dwindle? Sure, mostly bad programming, but that’s just the beginning of the problem … my Nighttown Operatheatre doesn’t play the major houses, but we are reaching audiences world-wide – and the reason for this status is that I create music and theatre in my own music language . . . Sure, there’s improvisation which brings the performers to new levels of reality when they depart from my original “starting point” material. But their excitement spills over into the audience – and it’s the drama, humor and clear language that connects with the audience directly.” Drew now looks for funding for his most recent “opera,” a production of The Light That Shines Through Me, with a cast of soloists, stationary and moving children’s choirs, a tuned gong ensemble, and chamber orchestra. The production is planned to begin in Florida in 2005 and the UK and the Netherlands in 2007.

Premieres

This past season saw several premieres in the Netherlands including, Moving Gongs, Resonanz Percussions, Rotterdam; Bonarue Breaks, James Fulkerson/Barton Ensemble, Amsterdam; and Stations, Barton Workshop, Amsterdam.

Performances

Metal Concert was presented by Resonanz Percussions, in Edinburgh, Scotland; soprano Ellie Zoft performed Lute in the Attic in Warwick, England, and Dublin Dream Songs in Dublin, Ireland; the moving version of Geo-Spaces was heard in Helsinki, Finland, in a performance by the Carre Ensemble; and the West End Players presented Chartres St. Funeral Music in London, England.

Publications

Vox Spiritus, solo percussionist/actor and re-configured orchestra; The Madonnas (Five Miniatures for solo pianist); Bonarue Breaks, two trombones and percussionist with bass drum/metal; Stations, chamber orchestra; all by Artistry Press International.

Recordings:

The Orangethorpe Aria, Ex Profundis; Cinnabar Records. Bridge of Memories; 4 Tay Records.

Further Information

• 2002-2003 Annual American Composers Update
• 2001-2002 Annual American Composers Update
• 1999-2000 Annual American Composers Update
• SAI's Music for Young People section