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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 19, 2001
Contact Jean Lyman Goetz (212) 255-4460 JAMES ADLER’S MEMENTO MORI: AN AIDS REQUIEM RELEASED BY ALBANY RECORDS Soloists from the Metropolitan and New York City Operas featured The premiere recording of Memento mori: An AIDS Requiem by James Adler was released in its chamber version on September 25, 2001 by Albany Records. One of the first requiems dedicated to those who have succumbed to AIDS, Memento mori features the men’s voices of AmorArtis Chorale and Orchestra, conducted by Johannes Somary. Celebrated soloists include Victoria Livengood, mezzo-soprano; Jane Dutton and Máire O’Brien, sopranos; and Steve Huffines, baritone. The CD, Troy 463, was produced by John Ostendorf. Memento mori, a 75-minute work in nine movements, combines traditional English, Hebrew, and Latin texts with original texts by Quentin Crisp, Philip Justin Smith, Denise Stokes, and Bill Weaver. The chamber version was premiered in New York in April 2000 by AmorArtis Chorale and Orchestra conducted by Maestro Somary. Of its world premiere in Atlanta in 1996, Derrick Henry (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) wrote, "Employing an eclectic, predominately lyrical musical language, Adler writes for both chorus and orchestra with uncommon imagination." Victoria Livengood made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1991 as Laura in Luisa Miller, and has since given over 85 performances with the company. Jane Dutton debuted with The Metropolitan Opera in 1997 and has performed there each season since. She gave her first performance with New York City Opera in 2000 as Sara in Roberto Devereaux. Máire O’Brien was Violetta with New York City Opera that year, after her debut there in The Turn of the Screw. Of note is the return of Steve Huffines, who performed in both the Atlanta and New York premieres. Johannes Somary, founder and Music Director of AmorArtis, has also led the English Chamber Orchestra, New Orleans Symphony, and London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He is currently Director of Music at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in New York City. His discography of more than 50 recordings includes four Stereo Review Record-of-the-Year Awards. AmorArtis, a distinctive chorus and orchestra now in its 38th year, has achieved international recognition for its over 40 recordings. Maestro Somary and AmorArtis were featured in the observance at Yankee Stadium after the events of September 11. James Adler’s compositions range from "It’s Gotta be America," commissioned for the Centennial Celebration of the Statue of Liberty, and "Canticle for Peace," written for the opening of the 43rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, to Carols of Splendour, Songs of Innocence And of Experience, and his Concerto in G for Piano and Orchestra. |
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