I Fioretti in Musica- Opera in Danza September 30, 2010

September 30 to October 17
La MaMa E.T.C. (Ellen Stewart Theater), 74A East Fourth Street
Presented by La Mama E.T.C. and Instituto Italiano di Cultura di New York
Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Sundays at 2:30 PM
Opening Party: Oct 2; Closing Party Oct 16 after 7:30 show sponsored by Ballaro (donations accepted)
$25 (discounts available for students and groups); box office (212) 475-7710, www.lamama.org
Running time 70 minutes. Critics are invited on or after Friday October 1.
Performing company's website: www.pioneersgoeast.org

"I Fioretti in Musica- Opera in Danza" (Little Flowers in Music, an Opera in Dance) is an original opera with concept, libretto, direction and sets by Gian Marco Lo Forte and an acoustic score for five voices composed by Sasha Zamler-Carhart juxtaposed with an electronic score consisting of fixed electro-acoustic sound and live vocal processing by Ryan Carter. The piece is based on the miracles of St. Francis immortalized in the 14th-century book of poems, I Fioretti Di San Francesco, and is performed in Italian with English subtitles.

The opera imagines St. Francis living homeless today in New York City, seeing treasures in the trash, speaking words of compassion to all he meets and championing the values of peace and brotherly love. The action is staged with puppets made of recycled materials from the streets, brought to life by dancers and singers who, in the style of Commedia Harmonica, perform in concerto. The opera adapts four episodes from the legend of the saint that depict his miracles and significant events of his life: Assuming a Life of Simplicity, Preaching to the Birds, Taming a Wolf and Welcoming Thieves to the Monastery. Although the setting is modern, there is an atmosphere that conveys the early Franciscan spirit of childlike faith, making the piuece a reflection on the religious life of the Middle Ages. The audience sits in close proximity to the performers' action, generating an intimate opera experience.