NEW YORK - Foreign Experiences at the Roulette IntermediumForeign Experiences was a performance of Robert Ashley’s fascinating, unique approach to structure and storytelling in an avant-garde operatic setting. Essentially, a cast of seven highly skilled singers masterfully projected a narrative comprised of almost non-stop syllables of text for about 80 minutes. Language and meaning were dramatically expressed through song, lines of poetic verse, and a dash of sprechstimme.The arguably prosaic libretto of Foreign Experiences portrays Don Jr, a college student who leaves the Midwest for California. There, imaginations run wild as Don Jr. suffers from isolation, loneliness, and deprivation that draw him to the brink of madness. He devolves into a diminishing sense of reality, immerses himself in existential incantation, and engages in the universal search for the meaning of life. L-R Kayleigh Butcher, Courtesy kayleighbutcher.com. Bonnie Lander, Courtesy bonnielander.com. Brian McCorkle, Photo by Marco Berardi, installation by Ali DolanbayIn what might also be described as a “spoken word” performance, the performers portrayed Ashley’s hallmark technique of elevating speech into a form of musical expression. Singers performed in both unison and harmony against an ambient, immersive soundscape of prerecorded electronic music consisting of broad phrases, echoing syllables, and other sounds. The performers seamlessly adhered to tempos determined by a click track while adjusting their pitch, conforming to tonal center shifts of the sonic accompaniment.The performers spoke in a conversational, musical manner, blurring the lines between dialogue and melody. Moreover, the storyline was presented nonlinearly in loosely associated episodic encounters and contemplations. Don Jr. was a character who explored his inner thoughts, dilemmas, psyche, cultural shock, and self-discovery. L-R Aliza Simons, Courtesy 5of4.com, Dave Ruder, Courtesy daveruder.com, Paul Pinto, Courtesy pfpinto.com. Gelsey Bell, Courtesy gelseybell.com Seeking context, imaginative listeners likely ruminated on the swift patter of Gilbert & Sullivan’s I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General, Lennie Bruce’s comedic streams of consciousness, and Alban Berg’s Wozzeck and his apocalyptic descent into madness. Perhaps also, one imagined the monophonic chanting of priests, the solemnity of requiem plainsong, the desperate “hasty orisons” of Wilfred Owens’ Anthem for Doomed Youth, or the dramatic power of a Greek chorus. Clearly, there was something for everyone!Foreign Experiences was fun, imaginative, and engaging. It was a product of incredible artistry by eight excellent singers who drew a full house and commanded well-earned and extended standing ovations. The sound and lighting were sophisticated and effective. The Cast of Robert Ashley's Foreign Experiences performing on stage at Roulette Intermedium, Brooklyn, NY. Photo by Edward KliszusForeign Experiences at the Roulette IntermediumFor seven voices and prerecorded electronic orchestraCo-produced by Roulette Intermedium and Performing ArtservicesBy Robert Ashley (1993)SingersGelsey BellKayleigh ButcherBonnie LanderBrian McCorklePaul PintoDave RuderAliza SimonsTom Hamilton - Music Director and Sound DesignDavid Moodey - Stage Design and LightingMimi Johnson - ProducerRoulette Intermedium509 Atlantic Avenue(Entrance on the Corner of Third Avenue; Accessible Entrance on Atlantic Ave)Brooklyn, NY 11217For information and tickets, click HERE.Readers may also enjoy our reviews of American Classical Orchestra presents Astronomical, American Classical Orchestra Performs Bach’s B Minor Mass, Oratorio Society of NY Performs Mahler, Beethoven, and Karen P. Thomas, and the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony Records Tchaikovsky.https://youtu.be/tXq488rUbAg?si=xCjq_Euk4VnGFKXX
