DESCRIPTION:
ON "INTERLUDE"
"Interlude" is a music-video work created for newEar's performance of the chamber opera "Darwin" by Michael Henry and Dwight Frizzell (2013). When it became clear that additional music and video was needed to cover and extensive costume change between the first and second scene, Michael composed this music and Dwight created the video you see here. "Interlude" compresses time and movement on the HMS Beagle's voyage between crossing the equator (scene 1) and their arrival in Tierra del Fuego (scene 2).

The music was recorded in performance on April 27, 2013 and mixed on May 15 by Dwight Frizzell. The musicians, conducted by Steven D. Davis, were Rena Ishii (violin), Nell French (viola), David Boese (cello), Johnny Hamil (contrabass), Brad Cox (piano), Adrienne Garstang (flute), Thomas Aber (clarinets), Kim Krutz (bassoons), Adam Paxon (horn), and Mark Lowry (percussion).

The video was shot by Dwight Frizzell at various locations including Mendocino and Monterey (California) and Greer Springs (Missouri).

ON DARWIN
"As a fitting finale for its 20th anniversary season, newEar Contemporary Chamber Ensemble departed from its usual recital format and even its usual venue to mount the world premiere of Darwin, a full- length chamber opera in three acts based on the life and writings of Charles Darwin. Joining the venerable instrumental ensemble was a fine cast of singer/actors: tenor (and newEar pianist) Robert Pherigo as Darwin, child soprano Audrey Hartwell as young Annie Darwin, tenor Jedd Schneider as Captain Robert FitzRoy, baritone Paul Griggsby as biologist Thomas Henry Huxley, and soprano Sylvia Stoner in several roles, most notably as the Worm Queen. Also featured were dancers from The Owen/Cox Dance Group, choreographed by co-artisitic director Jennifer Owen. The City Stage Theatre at Kansas City's historic and beautifully restored Union Station was the setting for the opera's performances on April 26-27, 2013.

Darwin was composed in 2012 by Michael Henry in collaboration with Dwight Frizzell. A workshop version was produced in 2009, but newEar commissioned this definitive, expanded version."--Don Clark, http://www.icareifyoulisten.com/2013/05/newear-evolves-darwin-chamber-opera-kansas-city/

DARWIN CREDITS
Created by Michael Henry and Dwight Frizzell

Directed by Ron Schaeffer

Choreography by Jennifer Owen

Conducted by Steven D. Davis

Produced by Mark Lowry

CAST
Charles Darwin--Robert Pherigo (tenor)
Captain Robert Fitzroy, Leonard Darwin--Jedd Schneider (high tenor)
Sailor, Emma, Jenny the Orangutan, Worm Queen--Sylvia Stoner (soprano)
Major John Chipchase, Thomas Huxley--Paul Griggsby (baritone)
Annie Darwin--Audrey Hartwell (child soprano)

DESIGNERS/CREW
Composer/arranger--Michael Henry
Visual Designer--Dwight Frizzell
Costumes--Mary Traylor
Set Design & Technical Director--Mary Nichols
Lighting Designer--John "Moose" Kimball
Video Creation--Dwight Frizzell
Video Operator--Brittany Ficken
Sound Design--Henry & Frizzell
Live Sound Engineer--Chad Miese
Sound Technician--Brenna Hays
Contributing Composer--Brad Cox ("Kina Dance")
Stage Manager--Katie Fernandez
Assistant Stage Manager--Joey Elfanbaum
Assistant Stage Manager--Tyler Boyer

OWEN/COX DANCE GROUP
Allyson Ashley
Juliana Bicki
Jennifer Owen
Stephen Plante
Shane Tice

©2013 Michael Henry & Dwight Frizzell