I Fioretti In Musica - Opera In Danza

September 30 – October 17, 2010

“I Fioretti in Musica- Opera in Danza” is an original Italian Opera that imagines St. Francis of Assisi as a character in modern New York.

The libretto and concept by Gian Marco Lo Forte is based on the 14th century book of poems in vulgar Italian Little Flowers and includes an original polyphonic score for 5 voices called mottetticomposed by Sasha Zamler-Carhart layered and juxtaposed with electroacoustic live voice processing and music inspired by New York City’s street noise composed by Ryan Carter. The intimate setting will include art and projections by visual artist Mark Tambella, choreography by Philip Montana and puppetry and masks made with garbage and savaged materials by Cathy Shaw and Abby Felder to evoke ancient festivities in Umbria and in Medieval Italy.

“I Fioretti in Musica- Opera in Danza” includes 4 important events in the life of Saint Francis: Assuming a life of Simplicity, Preaching to the birds, Taming the wolf and Welcoming the thieves to the monastery. These chapters are an exquisite expression of the religious life of the Middle Ages. Their peculiar charm and atmosphere comes from the early Franciscan spirit: a childlike faith, a lively sense of the supernatural and a simple literalness.

Gian Marco Lo Forte (libretto, concept & direction, design): www.pioneersgoeast.org
Ryan Carter (electronic composer): www.ryancarter.org
Sasha Zamler-Carhart (vocal composer) www.zamler-carhart.com
Philip Montana (choreographer)
Angela Wendt (costume design): www.angela.wendt.net
Jane Catherine Shaw (puppet design): www.janecatherineshaw.com
Mark Tambella (paintings & drawings): Paintings @ www.johndavisgallery.com
Ji-youn Francesca Chang (lighting design): www.Jiyounchangdesign.com
George Drance (assistant director): www.magistheatre.org