created & composed by
PAOLA PRESTINI
in collaboration with
stage director & designer
JULIAN CROUCH
with text by
RINDE ECKERT
and video designs by
S. KATY TUCKER
featuring performances by
RINDE ECKERT, GABRIEL KAHANE,
& actor JOHN BUFFALO MAILER
for string quartet
& THE BROOKLYN YOUTH CHORUS
Performed by ACME at the Kitchen April 7th, 8p 21c Liederabend.
“…an enigmatic detente….potent, soulful.” Steve Smith, NY Times
all production photos from the workshop concert as a part of the 21c Liederabend festival at The Kitchen, April 2011 photos (c) Jill Steinberg
An interdisciplinary song cycle with text by Rinde Eckert. Performed by Rinde Eckert and Gabriel Kahane with actor John Bufallo Mailer. For the ETHEL string quartet and singing pianist (Gabriel Kahane). Film and projection design by S. Katy Tucker. Instrument design by Mark Stewart.
Aging Magician is a composite of sonic and visual elements used to paint the fading world of an aging magician. A narrator and gondolier shepherd him through a symbolic last ride through Venice, where he falls in love with a young beautiful boy in his last grasps at life. A sculpture/instrument designed by Mark Stewart slowly illuminates throughout the work, calling the magician to another world. When illuminated fully, nearly blindingly, it will carry the magician to his next journey, where he will successfully create magic, endlessly.
The Aging Magician features a unique sonic and visual collaboration between innovative and playful instrument designer Mark Stewart and acclaimed director and scenic designer Julian Crouch. Working closely within the composer’s sonic vocabulary, the scenic design for the full production of The Aging Magician consists of an immersive onstage installation which can be played like an instrument — blown, struck, whistled and plucked.
Producers Beth Morrison Projects and VisionIntoArt
I wanted three generations of men to play these three roles. There is something very special about
these male voices entwining: their styles are radically different, and yet I believe that through my
musical thread it will be poignant to see them touch souls and make magic through this piece,
bringing to life Rinde Eckert’s beautiful text.
- composer, Paola Prestini
