The New World Symphony: Dvořák in America
Czech-American Marionette Theatre
Written and directed by Vít Hořejš
Music by Antonín Dvořák
and Saxophonist/Composer James Brandon Lewis
The New World Symphony: Dvořák in America, explores the influence of African-American and Native American music upon the work of the famed 19th century Czech composer Antonín Dvořák and consequently on music development worldwide. Performed by Czechoslovak American Marionette Theatre with puppets composed of musical instrument parts, live actors, and musicians, and with an original hybrid score of classical, jazz, and rock music.
Costume design: Theresa Linnihan
Set design: Tom Lee
Lighting design: Federico Restrepo
Performed by Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre:
Deborah Beshaw, Michelle Beshaw, Vít Hořejš, Harlem-Lafayette, Theresa Linnihan, Valois Mickens, John Scott Richardson and Ben Watts
Music Performed by James Brandon Lewis Trio:
James Brandon Lewis – Saxophone
Luke Stewart – Bass
Warren Trae Crudup III – Drums
Presented in association with Dvorak American Heritage Association.
Executive Producer: Bonnie Sue Stein of GOH Productions
“What makes this latest offering different is its ambition. The New World Symphony frames Dvorák’s stay from 1892 to 1895 within the context of the dawn of a new century in a new nation emerging as a world power. At that time, the country also struggled with race and immigration issues while enduring a backstabbing, bitter presidential campaign between Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison. Sound familiar?…The New World Symphony: Dvorák in America succeeds in portraying a fortuitous moment in music history. “
~Patricia Contino, NY Theatre Guide
“a wonderful, chaotic and jazz-impelled telling of the story of Dvorak in this country, the Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre combines puppets, background and foreground, to tell the story of the composer pricked up his ear to American sounds and how they contributed to his compositions.”
~Susan Hall, Berkshire Fine Arts
Special Event
Post-Show Discussion
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Join us for a post show discussion with Michael Beckerman of New York University and director Vít Hořejš.
Michael Beckerman is Carroll and Milton Petrie Professor of Music at New York University. He is author of several books including Dvořýk and His World (1993), New Worlds of Dvořák (2003) , Janáček and His World (2004) and Martinů’s Mysterious Accident (2007) He writes for The New York Times, and lectures in the United States, England and Europe. He has received the Janáček and Dvořák medals and recently received an honorary doctorate from Palacký University in the Czech Republic.