Peter Ash's Opera THE GOLDEN TICKET Gets Full Reading 4/4

If thoughts of Augustus Gloop being swept away in the Chocolate River, Violet Beauregarde inflating like a giant blueberry, Mike Teavee being demagnified into the tele-dimension, and Veruca Salt being thrown down the rubbish shoot by a gang of nut-inspecting squirrels sound like your idea of a fun night at the opera - or better yet, unlike any night at the opera or theater you've ever experienced - The Golden Ticket, ALT's opera commission based on Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is not to be missed! All of Dahl's beloved characters find a unique voice in this exciting new opera, and now, you have a chance to get a sneak-preview...

The Golden Ticket is being written by American composer Peter Ash and British librettist Donald Sturrock. The final developmental workshop of the opera will take place between March 25th and April 4th, 2009, culminating with a public reading of the complete opera on Saturday April 4th at 7:00 PM at The Irene Diamond Education Center in Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center on Broadway at 60th Street, New York City. A limited number of tickets to the reading are available for sale to the public on ALT's website - www.altnyc.org - for $30. "Golden Tickets" are also available for $100, which include premium seating for the reading and a reception with the composer, librettist and participating singers at Bouchon Bakery following the opera. Bouchon's acclaimed pastry chefs will be offering up unique deserts and beverages inspired by Wonka's fantastic creations.

The Golden Ticket is already developing many fans around the globe, including Felicity Dahl, widow of Roald Dahl, who has co-commissioned its completion with ALT. "At last after years of listening to mediocre attempts by other composers, I was thrilled to hear not only a stunning piece of music, but a well thought-out treatment for an opera version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I was beginning to think no one was capable of capturing the spirit and magic of Roald's original... It is extremely exciting... I can sense something very special is being created here!"

The Golden Ticket is scheduled to receive its world premiere in June 2010 at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, in a production directed by James Robinson, with Scenic Design by Bruno Schwengl and Costumes by Martin Pakledinaz. Additional production details will be announced at our reading in April. Don't miss this chance to preview what is sure to be one of the most celebrated operas in recent years!

BEHIND THE SPOTLIGHT

ALT is very excited to announce the launch of BEHIND THE SPOTLIGHT, a new Blog that will explore the development of new operas and the mentorship of emerging operatic writers.

BEHIND THE SPOTLIGHT will be tracking the continued development of The Golden Ticket, as well as other new works in the ALT pipeline. We will feature guest entries by the composers and librettists writing these works, as well as entries by the singers, conductors, directors, designers and producers involved in their development. During rehearsal periods, we will be posting video clips from rehearsals, as well as BEHIND THE SPOTLIGHT video interviews.

Visit BEHIND THE SPOTLIGHT often, and please join in the dialogue about New Opera by leaving your comments and questions.
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THIS MARCH AT AMERICAN OPERA PROJECTS

While ALT's upcoming piano/vocal reading of The Golden Ticket isn't until April 4th, contemporary opera fans don't have to wait until April to explore some very exciting new music. Our friends at American Opera Projects are producing three events in March. Please vist AOP's website for additional information.

March 1, 2009 - 7:00PM. It is my song that's flown, a collection of new songs composed by Tom Cipullo, Renée Favand, Kristin Kuster, John Levey, Raymond Lustig, Gregory Spears, Tim Sullivan, and Stephen AnDrew Taylor, all sung by soprano Alissa Rose, Music Direction and piano by Jennifer Peterson. South Oxford Space, 138 South Oxford Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217. $10 suggested donation.

March 15, 2009 - 2:30PM. Opera Index and Manhattan School of Music present AOP in a workshop performance of Love/Hate by Jack Perla, directed by Caren France, conducted by Silas Huff, with pianist Mila Henry. Manhattan School of Music, Greenfield Hall. $20/$15.

March 20, 2009 - 8:00PM. "Opera Grows in Brooklyn." AOP, Opera on Tap, and the Remarkable Theater Brigade collaborate with Galapagos Art Space to present a night of new opera created in Brooklyn. Featuring scenes from Love/Hate by Jack Perla, directed by Caren France. Galapagos Art Space - 16 Main Street, Brooklyn. $20/$15.