New York City Opera to perform scenes from ARMIDE

VOX Showcase
Saturday May 2nd 2pm Skirball Center for Performing Arts

ARMIDE, opera in 5 acts Jonathan Dawe

Set in the year 2019, ARMIDE, predicts a dynamic drama cast in post-war Iraq.  In a transformed political and social landscape, a fragile co-existence exists between an integrated American presence, the InnerAmerican Republic led by Renaud, and the Iraqi people. As the Iraqi society is exasperated with the ineffectiveness of current politicians, Armide has emerged as a leader among the people. Armide struggles with ambition, duties, a growing love for Renaud. a driving hope for her country, and deeper understanding of her culture. 

Presented:

From ACT II Scene i
MARCHE 1 Instrumental
Forces or the InnerAmerican Republic en route from Fallujah to Baghdad break from their march.

DUET 
Major Ubaldi, Renaud’s first in command, suggests the troops not linger, but Renaud has noticed an odd area of green lush foliage amidst the barren dessert landscape.  He urges Ubaldi to continue the convoy to Baghdad, while he investigates.

MARCHE 2 Instrumental
The Troops depart.

INTERLUDE
Now alone, Renaud investigates the lush grotto.  It seems odd yet so familiar, almost like home.  There is a small café there; he sits at the table outside and falls asleep.

GAVOTTE  Instrumental
Armide enters. In search of Renaud she has finally found him.  As he sleeps, she angrily contemplates his role in the state of her homeland.  He awakes; they have met before.  At first she is frustrated by their language difference.  Aware of this, he asks her to teach him some more Arabic. Simply enough it starts, but quickly becomes intimate, as they both cannot deny the overpowering chemistry of their attraction.

From ACT IV scene i
CHACCONE tempo ‘hip-hop’
Ubaldi and an elite reconnaissance group arrive in the highly volatile backstreet slums on the northern banks of the Euphrates river in north Baghdad in their search for Renaud, now missing.  Having spent most of his life in Baghdad, Ubaldi is Muslim, as with other soldiers of his elite group.  At this moment of high tension, non-Muslim black soldiers taunt the Black Muslim soldiers.  Ubaldi boldly defends his and his colleagues’ faith.

From ACT V scene i
RITOURNELLE  &  PASSICAILLE
Renaud now in Armide’s bedroom pleads with her to stay; she must go but will return.
She jokes that the young cleaning women may amuse him while she is gone.  After she leaves, they enter.  Renaud is taken by their graceful beauty as they clean the apartment.