The simple stage shows a couple of bunk beds, similar to the ones I have seen in Nazi concentration camps. The beds form the backdrop for a work composed by Viktor Ullman, an inmate of Theresienstadt, commenting on death and tyranny in 1943. The opera had one final rehearsal that was "final" in more ways than one. The following day, SS realized the powerful message in the work and everyone involved was shipped off to Auschwitz, where they perished. The story concerns a dictator who is so brutal that even "Death" decides not to cooperate with him any longer. After realizing soldiers can no longer die gloriously in battle and that criminals will no longer die when they are executed, the dictator tries to "spin" this strange development as a powerful elixir he has given to the people. But no one is fooled. In the end, Death agrees to go back to work, but the emperor must be the first t0 die. In the end, stripped of his uniform, he joins the other "inmates" clad only in their underwear, as they march relentlessly toward a brilliant light. There's an excellent performance along the way by mezzo-soprano Peabody Southwell as the Drummer, using her sex appeal to try and pursuade a young soldier to choose war over love. It's as if characters from Cabaret were suddently doomed to a concentration camp arriving with their luggage only to be shown to their bunks and ordered to become the characters in the opera. Someone smuggled the score out of the camp and it was found in London during the 1970s. Powerful stuff. See it if you ever have the chance. I can't wait to see what the Long Beach opera will do next!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A Message from the Past
Although this isn't really a performing arts blog, I just have to post something about the powerful opera I witnessed last weekend, "The Emperor of Atlantis." Here is the scene, deep in the hull of the Queen Mary. The simple stage shows a couple of bunk beds, similar to the ones I have seen in Nazi concentration camps. The beds form the backdrop for a work composed by Viktor Ullman, an inmate of Theresienstadt, commenting on death and tyranny in 1943. The opera had one final rehearsal that was "final" in more ways than one. The following day, SS realized the powerful message in the work and everyone involved was shipped off to Auschwitz, where they perished. The story concerns a dictator who is so brutal that even "Death" decides not to cooperate with him any longer. After realizing soldiers can no longer die gloriously in battle and that criminals will no longer die when they are executed, the dictator tries to "spin" this strange development as a powerful elixir he has given to the people. But no one is fooled. In the end, Death agrees to go back to work, but the emperor must be the first t0 die. In the end, stripped of his uniform, he joins the other "inmates" clad only in their underwear, as they march relentlessly toward a brilliant light. There's an excellent performance along the way by mezzo-soprano Peabody Southwell as the Drummer, using her sex appeal to try and pursuade a young soldier to choose war over love. It's as if characters from Cabaret were suddently doomed to a concentration camp arriving with their luggage only to be shown to their bunks and ordered to become the characters in the opera. Someone smuggled the score out of the camp and it was found in London during the 1970s. Powerful stuff. See it if you ever have the chance. I can't wait to see what the Long Beach opera will do next!
The simple stage shows a couple of bunk beds, similar to the ones I have seen in Nazi concentration camps. The beds form the backdrop for a work composed by Viktor Ullman, an inmate of Theresienstadt, commenting on death and tyranny in 1943. The opera had one final rehearsal that was "final" in more ways than one. The following day, SS realized the powerful message in the work and everyone involved was shipped off to Auschwitz, where they perished. The story concerns a dictator who is so brutal that even "Death" decides not to cooperate with him any longer. After realizing soldiers can no longer die gloriously in battle and that criminals will no longer die when they are executed, the dictator tries to "spin" this strange development as a powerful elixir he has given to the people. But no one is fooled. In the end, Death agrees to go back to work, but the emperor must be the first t0 die. In the end, stripped of his uniform, he joins the other "inmates" clad only in their underwear, as they march relentlessly toward a brilliant light. There's an excellent performance along the way by mezzo-soprano Peabody Southwell as the Drummer, using her sex appeal to try and pursuade a young soldier to choose war over love. It's as if characters from Cabaret were suddently doomed to a concentration camp arriving with their luggage only to be shown to their bunks and ordered to become the characters in the opera. Someone smuggled the score out of the camp and it was found in London during the 1970s. Powerful stuff. See it if you ever have the chance. I can't wait to see what the Long Beach opera will do next!
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Voice that Launched the Vote
May 9 is the date for parliamentary elections in Maldives, and I wish my Maldivian friends a free and fair day at the polls, as well as excellent coverage by TVM and VOM. At the same time, I am remembering the excitement of being in the Maldives in the months leading up to the presidential election last fall. One of the memories that stands out is a beachfront concert intended to promote awareness of the importance of voting. That was where I heard Unoosha sing for the first time. The song, "Think Nation" was an extraordinary blend of rock and rap, with words by an 85-year-old poet. The lyrics sound like, "minivan, get a car," but actually are nothing to do with automotive choices. Minivan is the word for freedom in Dhivehi, the island language of Maldives. I couldn't get the catchy beat -- and Unoosha's voice -- out of my head. She definitely rocked the vote.
It was also astounding to see another side of the quiet, polite young lady who had come to my TV hosting class wearing nerdy glasses. She's on the far right in this picture.
A Maldivian rocker chick? Who knew?
It was also astounding to see another side of the quiet, polite young lady who had come to my TV hosting class wearing nerdy glasses. She's on the far right in this picture.I am proud to say that, since she received the training, she has hosted several popular programs on TV Maldives with her band, Kiddy. But when she sings, she is transformed, commanding attention and swinging a glorious mane of hair. (Head coverings for women are a personal choice in the Maldives, although it is a 100% Muslim country.)
It is obvious that Unoosha is ready for a much bigger stage. Here's the link to her latest collaboration with the Maldivian rock band Fasylive. Stay with it to the end, where you can hear Unoosha scatting to Fasy's guitar riffs. The song in Dhivehi is a cry for independence from a women who doesn't want to be taken for a ride.
Raw, world class talent, IMHO. She recently sang at Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon's anniversary party at a Maldivian resort, and you know that anyone who can hold her own in a duet with Mariah has got game.
A Maldivian rocker chick? Who knew?The Maldives is traveling a difficult road to democracy in the Islamic world. It is easy to get discouraged by reports of irregularities at the polls. There will always be disagreements over policy, no matter who is serving as president or in parliament. As long as there are talented young voices like Unoosha to rock the vote, I'm confident about the future.
Here's hoping there is someone out there in the music world who can bring her talent to the world. Meanwhile, go to Facebook and become a fan of Unoosha, so you can say you knew her when.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Free Roxana Saberi, a personal connection
The eyes of the world are on a prison cell in Iran, where a young journalist named Roxana Saberi is on a hunger strike to win her freedom. She was convicted of espionage, after a one-day secret trial by an Iranian court. The Iranian-American dual citizen became a freelance reporter in Iran after participating in the RIAS German-American exchange program for broadcast journalists. Readers of this blog know that I have hosted German journalists in Los Angeles and West Palm, and went on the exchange myself in 2001, when I was still a professor at USC.
At the RIAS reunion in Las Vegas, Jon Ebinger of RTNDF gave an update on her situation. I also produced a video story in the one-person band seminar, interviewing John and RIAS program director Rainer Hasters. The video is posted at this link on the RTNDA convention website. http://rtnda.org/convention/?p=455 Many thanks to Regina McCombs of Poynter, reporter Kaci Christian and KPNX videojournalist Lynn French for the help.
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