The title is somewhat paradoxical yet totally appropriate for the event and the stage that it takes place. We’ve told you about Andrew Ousley and his renowned Crypt Sessions. Well, he’s back and taking his game to the next level. Andrew formed Unison Media based on the principles of honesty, transparency, and holding himself and his staff to a higher standard of results. With the standard set so high, Mr, Ousley managed to raise it even higher.
Most things Brooklyn often come attached with a certain stigma; especially when its connected to the arts. Yes, this event is in Brooklyn. No, you have never seen or heard of anything like it. If you were fortunate enough to attend the Crypt Sessions, you have an idea of how special an experience Andrew and his team create. If not, you need to gear up for something different. Very. Very. Different.
Unison Media and The Green-Wood Historic Fund are proud to announce The Angel’s Share, a new series of opera and chamber music concerts taking place in Green-Wood’s remarkable Catacombs. Don’t know what a catacomb is? Don’t worry, we Googled it for you!
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an underground cemetery consisting of a subterranean gallery with recesses for tombs, as constructed by the ancient Romans.
Don’t be scared. Be intrigued! This is one of the oldest structures in the 478-acre National Historic Landmark cemetery, the Catacombs were built in the 1850s, and are normally closed to the public (isn’t New York City all about exclusivity?). The series takes its name from the distiller’s term for whiskey that evaporates while maturing in the barrel, thus going to the angels. Back to where we started; the venue not the space that comes to mind when you hear angels. You may want to watch this short video before reading on.
The season will open in June with a World Premiere of a new chamber opera, The Rose Elf, by composer David Hertzberg, whose The Wake World recently received the “Best New Opera Award” from the Music Critics Association of North America. The Rose Elf will be directed by the visionary R.B. Schlather, starring award-winning mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey. Next, world-renowned harpist Bridget Kibbey and friends will play a program centered on Debussy’s Danses Sacrée et Profane. Pianists Christina and Michelle Naughton (“on a level with some of the greatest piano duos of our time” raves the Washington Post) will perform the works of French and American composers, including Green-Wood “permanent resident,” Leonard Bernstein. The JACK Quartet, deemed “superheroes of the new music world” by the Boston Globe, will perform a program entitled Modern Medieval. Pianist and composer Gregg Kallor, the Classical Recording Foundation’s 2017 Composer of the Year, will also introduce a World Premiere, his new cantata based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 Gothic novel, Frankenstein, in partnership with On Site Opera.
Each performance will begin with a pre-concert reception with food, drinks, and a whiskey tasting overlooking the Manhattan skyline and the New York Harbor at sunset. At dusk, guests will then follow a candle-lit pathway down to the Catacombs for the performance. Take it from our team; there is something so romantic, eery and magical about the ambiance that these events create.
Richard J. Moylan, president of Green-Wood, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Unison Media on this unique project. Musical performances at Green-Wood have a long history and these innovative classical musical performances are a wonderful addition to our repertoire.”
For more information and tickets, visit The Angel’s Share website.