Happy Fall! 

The NYCC 2009-2010 SEASON starts next Sunday, Sept 20 in the Ellington Room at Manhattan Plaza, 400 West 43 Street, second floor. This Salon will feature NYCC member EUGENE MARLOW giving a presentation on how liturgical Jewish melodies can be morphed into contemporary jazz and neo-classical styles. He says, “Essentially this is what my group, The Heritage Ensemble, does in concert performance.” This will be a combination talk and music presentation. He has the melodies on CD in original form and then the way his group performs them. He will also talk about the history of the texts and the melodies.

We meet from 2-5pm. If you are new to the NYCC, now’s a great time to come and get involved. As always, stay tuned to the calendar and NYCC blog at www.nycomposerscircle.org.

In the meantime, the 2009-2010 season is already taking shape and looks to be another very strong year. Hold the date of October 18 and watch for details on our special fundraiser concert. As well, keep your eye on the calendar section of the website for updates, and of course, on In The Loop. See you in September! 

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NYCC Composers who would like to schedule a work for performance at next Sunday’s Salon, please send RICHARD MCCANDLESS (richard.mccandless@verizon.net) the following information:

(1) title,

(2) instrumentation, 

(3) performers (if it’s live or a recording) and 

(4) length.

We will take the works on a “first come, first served” basis, with the understanding that we wish to leave time for unscheduled works, as well. Following presentation of any scheduled works, we’re setting aside about an hour for members (or, time permitting, guests) who bring works on a non-scheduled basis, so feel free to bring something along without formally submitting it in advance.

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World premieres of two one-act chamber operas by MARTIN HALPERN will be performed at the Church of St. Gregory the Great, 144 West 90th Street, Manhattan, on Thursday, October 1, Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3 at 8 PM, and Sunday, October 4 at 3 PM.

Tickets, at $20 for adults and $10 for students, can be purchased online at www.theatermania.com or by calling Theater Mania at 212-352-3101.

The first opera, Purgatory, is freely based on the late play of the same name by

W. B. Yeats; the second, The Death of Oedipus, is freely based on Sophocles’ last play, Oedipus at Colonus.  Each opera dramatizes the final redemption of its main character — the guilt-ridden Old Pedlar in Purgatory and the aged and blind Oedipus in The Death of Oedipus — after years of wandering.  Each is accompanied by one grown child – the Old Pedlar by his nameless bastard son, and Oedipus by his devoted daughter Antigone.  

The cast features baritone Jim Trainor as both the Old Pedlar and Oedipus; tenor Bobby Underwood as both the Young Pedlar and the Theban Officer in The Death of Oedipus; soprano Yvonne Bill as Antigone; and tenor Aram Tchobanian and baritone Joshua South as the Citizens of Colonus in The Death of Oedipus.  The pianist for both operas is Earl Buys.

Mr. Halpern is music director for the production. Staging is by Sonya Baehr. Costumes are by Hunter Kaczorowski and lighting by Ethan Kaplan.

St. Gregory the Great is between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues, and is easily reached on the 1, 2, 3, B and C trains.