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Premiere of New Oratorio: Daniel


Daniel: Much more than the den of lions

Currently in its 17th season and past recipient of the Westchester County Arts Organization of the Year Award, Taconic Opera will be performing the world premiere performance and professional recording of the oratorio Daniel by the company’s General and Artistic Director, author, and composer, Dan Montez.  On the heels of last year’s premiere, Jonah, based on the famous prophet of whale fame, Taconic Opera presents another world premiere, Daniel, based on the prophet sent to the den of lions, featuring the soloists, opera chorus and full orchestra of the Taconic Opera.

Much like Jonah, Daniel is a revered prophet in Judaism, Islam and Christianity, and the story covers the lives of four kings including the famous Nebuchadnezzar. The Book of Daniel includes some of the most exciting narrative in canon and some of the most beautiful prose in scripture.  For those that love Verdi’s opera, Nabucco, this oratorio tells the rest of the story of the madness of Nebuchadnezzar, including the writing on the wall, the bizarre dreams, the three burning young men and, of course, Daniel’s survival in the den of lions.

Montez describes his composing style as “…somewhat impressionistic – similar to Ravel, Poulenc, Debussy, Fauré – and yet with the harmonic elements of Puccini, the stylistic elements of Copland and Van Williams.  It is influenced by the drama of opera and the powerful way opera singers can tell a story.  Too many liturgical oratorios are either only available in early music or in ultra-modern forms, and I’m not sure people are being moved by the stories this way…so I don’t apologize for not composing with any sort of modern atonality.  I want to reach people with the narrative.”

The company will be presenting two performances of the oratorio in two locations: Saturday, May 30, 2015, at 7:30 pm at the Ossining United Methodist Church, 1 Emwilton Place/corner of Route 9, Ossining, NY; and Sunday, May 31, 2015, at 3:00 pm at the White Plains Presbyterian Church, 39 North Broadway, White Plains, NY.  Tickets are $27, $20 for seniors and $15 for students and can be purchased at the door, in advance online at www.taconicopera.org, or by calling Taconic Opera’s toll-free number (855) 886-7372. Optional pre-concert Informance by the composer/conductor starting one hour prior to concert time: $10 at the door, or order by phone or website.

Event Location and Ticket Information

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Ossining United Methodist Church
1 Emwilton Place/Rt 9
Ossining, NY
Handicap Accessible? Yes

Date: Saturday, May 30, 2015
Times: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ticket pricing:

27 - General
15 - Student
20 - Senior

Presenter: Taconic Opera
Presenter Phone: 1-855-88-67372
Presenter Website: taconicopera.org