Our 2004 production was a double bill of Fortune's Favorites, and Not a Spanish Kiss by Seymour Barab. To learn more about Mr. Barab and his works, see our LINKS page for a link to his web site.  The production's two works were directed by Ira Siff and Amy Axelson, respectively, and were conducted by our estimable Artistic Director Lucy Arner.

These operas followed a journey through time from ancient Spain, where the quest for a kiss in Not a Spanish Kiss proved that bargaining for romance may have financially hazardous results, to a chance meeting in a contemporary restaurant in Fortune’s Favorites, where destiny was challenged. 

Not a Spanish Kiss, although originally set in ancient Spain, was updated to a mid-20th centruy setting for these performances.  An impecunious poet, is smitten with love for the most beautiful woman in town, who happens to be the Financier’s wife.  The Poet offers to buy a kiss for a sum the greedy Financier cannot refuse.  The Poet gets his kiss and the Financier finds that you can’t get blood from a turnip.  The performance featured Jennifer Roberts, soprano,  David Jackson, tenor and Joshua Parrillo, baritone.

  A Spanish Kiss... 

And another....

In Fortune’s Favorites, former lovers meet again in a restaurant.  The omens seem to indicate that this is not a chance meeting, and they are destined to marry.  The number 13 figures prominently.  Bad news?  Not necessarily.  Featured performers were Dulce Manzini, mezzo-soprano, Hector Vasquez, baritone and Jessica Marsten, soprano.

  Special guests joined the singers on stage  

Artistic Director Lucy Arner adds “what makes Barab’s works fun to bring to the stage is that an evening of opera may represent two completely different centuries, as is the case here.  A contemporary American composer like Barab avoids the grand spectacle of traditional opera by composing intimate pieces that compel the audience to become entertained eavesdroppers to the vignette."

Performances were June 2, 3 & 4, 2004 at 8:00 pm at the Peter Norton Symphony Space (Leonard Nimoy Thalia) at Broadway and 95th Street. 

The New York Chamber Opera was delighted to present a rising young artist, soprano Lauren Skuce in recital. The company is committed to presenting chamber works as well as chamber operas to the city's audiences.  Assisting Ms. Skuce were the Apollo Trio and composer Bruce Adolphe, in selections from his song cycle A Thousand Years of Love.   Time Out NY said of Ms. Skuce's performance in the New York City Opera's production of Alcina last September, "There's not a weak link in the attractive, young supporting cast... and at this point, we're ready to crawl on our knees over a mile of gravel to hear Lauren Skuce (Morgana) read the phone book."  

Ms. Skuce and her colleagues graced the stage at the Peter Norton Symphony Space (Leonard Nimoy Thalia) on Wednesday, March 10 at 8pm.