An opera for the Newtown Creek
Newtown Odyssey is a floating opera set on an industrial canal in New York City. Performers sing aboard floating stages, passing the audience in boats.
With a libretto written by Dana Spiotta, the opera starts as a typical day along the Newtown Creek, a kayak outing, a tugboat passes by, or a group of volunteers clean up along the shore. But gradually, as the audience moves deeper towards the water, strange realities begin to unfold.
Newtown Odyssey’s score is written by viola player and composer Kurt Rohde. Sets and costumes are conceived by New York-based artist Marie Lorenz.
On Sept 9 and 10, the site-specific opera can be experienced two ways: on LAND, or by CANOE on the Newtown Creek.
NBCB is selling CANOE tickets for $40. All proceeds from boat sales go to NBCB. On LAND tickets are available for $10.
Newtown Odyssey takes place on the shores of Plank Road (4801 58th Road), in Maspeth, Queens. But despite its urban address, the opera’s location can feel extremely remote. Please check the directions and plan accordingly.
Further details about the opera, the performers, and the site can be found on the opera’s webpage. Newtown Creek Alliance (NCA) is a primary collaborator in the project.
NEWTOWN ODYSSEY Public Workshop at Plank Road September 10, 2022
Newtown Odyssey is supported in part by a 2021 Creative Capital Award, support from The Puffin Foundation, and a National Endowment for the Arts Research Grants in the Arts (Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works) Award.
This entry was posted on Aug 1, 2023 by admin.