In this Throwback Thursday, I am revisiting my one (and so far, only) experience with rock opera with an interesting work called “Memory” – a collaboration with the modern classical composer Andrew Seligson.

While I wish I could claim credit, the genesiss for “Memory” was all Andrew, who was in the final stages of studying for his composition degree and was looking for a collaborator for a one-act rock opera.

Through the magic of cyberspace, Andrew and I came into contact and met in New York City, with Andrew having a score about 75% composed and the genesis of an idea about a man, a woman, and a figure who meet under a giant tree – and oh yes, a name: “Memory” – and from there, the ball was in my court to sketch out a broader narrative.

While initially unsure, I found the rather mystical concept intriguing and Andrew’s music lovely and eventually crafted a story out of the basic concept – namely, a man and a woman who mysteriously meet in a blissful, serene dream and then, later, come face-to-face in the flesh underneath a majestic spruce – but while the woman remembers the dream and the utopian peace it bestowed on her life, the man remains in ignorance, eventually causing a rupture between the two, the healing of which ultimately leads the man to a relationship of greater peace with the world and with his own place in it.

Courtesy of Andrew, “Memory” was given a concert presentation at the DiMenna Center in New York City with an extremely talented trio of actors.

The recording below is the key song sung by the young woman, explaining to the young man the peace her dream of him has bestowed on her mind.

THERE’S A PLACE
WE CANNOT SEE.
IT EXISTS
BETWEEN EACH MOMENT.
IN THAT PLACE
YOU AND ME
WE WERE ONE…

Below, you can find some pictures from the recent concert presentation of the rock opera “Memory!”

Pictured here are:

• Christopher Sokolowski
• Claudillea Holloway
• William Guango Su
• Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra

I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations and thanks to the amazing cast and crew of the rock opera “Memory!”

Last night, the opera was given a concert presentation at the prestigious DiMenna Center in New York City, starring Christopher Sokolowski, Claudillea Holloway, and William Guango Su, backed by the brilliantly blissful Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra.

A special thank you to

• Claudillea, for her beautiful voice
• Christopher, for his pin-dropping, a cappella solo
• William, for his suave baritone and the iroicn humor he brought to his role

I was extremely impressed by the flawless, elegant presentation of the three singers – and with so few rehearsals! The audience thoroughly enjoyed the show and showered it with praise. What a wonderful feeling to be part of such a special, thoughtful piece.

A very special “thank you” to my tuneful and talented collaborator, Andrew Seligson, who, as producer of the piece, masterminded it through the performance process with a great deal of skill. I know from my own experience as a former president of a theatrical not-for-profit that producing a show – any show, especially a musical – is very hard. Andrew handled it with a great deal of class and ability.

Stay tuned! More photos (and song samples) to come!

The rock opera “Memory,” which I wrote with composer Andrew Seligman, is going to be given a concert presentation at the prestigious DiMenna Center for Classical Music in New York City.

I’m very excited to see this wonderful, elegant show see the light of day, as part of what will be a very long journey.

I’m also very happy and proud to announce the cast:

• Claudillea Holloway (“She”)
• Christopher Sokolowski (“He”)
• William Guango Su (“Figure”)

Above all, I am thrilled that Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra will be bringing the music alive for the show! Metamorphosis is a respected Manhattan institution (the recording orchestra for GPR Records) whose main focus “is orchestral repertoire for chamber ensemble, ranging from early classical to 20th century music.” They serve to “unearth narratives of composers’ lives through innovative programming and story-telling” and also seek to “bring a fresh glance into the realm of classical performance.”

“Memory” show will be performed on October 21 at 8pm.

You can reserve your spot for the show here!

(…courtesy of the talented Maxim Monchenko!)

Recently, I completed a rock opera with the composer Andrew Seligson, due to be recorded at Premier Studios in NYC in September!

We’re at the point where we are looking for help funding the project so we can get a wonderful cast recording out of it!

Check us out here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/747007386/help-us-create-nycs-upcoming-fantasy-musical-memor

You will find

• bios of the people involved
• musical samples from the show
• a nice DONATE button

Thanks for all your support! Spread the word!

IN A DREAM, I’LL FIND YOU.
COME, LEAVE THE WORLD
A WORLD BEHIND YOU
WHERE
I’M THERE
LIKE A PRAYER
WAITING FOR YOU…

Enter into a new world of dreams coming true.

I have completed a wonderful, one-act rock opera with the very talented composer, Andrew Seligson. It is the story of a man and a woman who mysteriously meet in a blissful, serene dream and then, later, come face-to-face in the flesh underneath a majestic tree – a meeting which turns into several meetings, at different intervals of time. While the woman remembers the dream and the utopian peace it bestowed on her life, the man remains in ignorance, eventually causing a rupture between the two, the healing of which ultimately leads the man to a relationship of greater peace with the world and with his own place in it.

Ultimately, “Memory” is a thoughtful, touching, intimate tale about the emotional and spiritual journey of two souls looking for peace in their respective lives. I wrote the libretto and Andrew wrote the music and we are looking forward to having a cast recording sometime this Fall.

You can find out more about the piece here!