Joseph Bilger Exhibition Opening Sept 29 - Artist Statement
Landscapes in Focus: The Art of Joseph Bilger
Opening Reception & Artist Talk: September 29th, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
On Exhibit: September - December 2024
Admission: Free and open to the public
The Arts Nest is thrilled to present a solo exhibition by local artist Joseph Bilger, showcasing his evocative landscape works from September through December 2024. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the serene and captivating natural scenes depicted in Bilger’s art.
Experience the evocative landscapes of Joseph Bilger in this captivating solo exhibition. Joseph's work transports viewers into serene natural settings, capturing the beauty and tranquility of the world around us. The exhibition features a stunning collection of oil landscapes that highlight the delicate interplay of light and shadow, along with a series of watercolors inspired by his travels to Guadalupe. Each piece is a journey through nature's splendor, reflecting Joseph's deep connection to the environment and his keen eye for detail. Join us to explore these visual narratives that invite you to pause, reflect, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world. CURATED BY JODI SIBILIA
Oh Susannah! by Jonathan Charles Fox for The River Reporter
By JONATHAN CHARLES FOX
“Susannah” is an opera in two acts by the American composer Carlisle Floyd, who wrote the libretto and music while a member of the piano faculty at Florida State University.
Floyd adapted the story from the Apocryphal tale of “Susannah and the Elders,” though the latter story has a more positive ending.
The opera’s story focuses on 18-year-old Susannah Polk, an innocent girl who is targeted as a sinner in the small mountain town of New Hope Valley, in the southern state of Tennessee.
The opera was awarded the New York Music Critics Circle Award for Best New Opera in 1956 and was chosen to represent American music and culture at the World’s Fair in Brussels in 1958. And now, “Susannah” has made its way to The Delaware Valley Opera Center in beautiful Lake Huntington, NY.
As for the opera’s inspiration, “Susanna and the Elders” is a narrative included in the Book of Daniel by the Catholic and Orthodox churches. It is one of the additions to Daniel, placed in the Apocrypha by Protestants; Lutherans, Anglicans and Methodists regard it as non-canonical (not sanctioned) but “useful for purposes of edification” according to Wikipedia.
Spoiler Alert: A brief synopsis of the original story provided by Wikipedia informs that “lecherous voyeurs falsely accused a fair Hebrew wife named Susanna. As she bathes privately in her locked and walled garden, a few elders spy on her bathing. The men realize that they lust for Susanna and when she makes her way back to the house, they accost her, demanding she have ‘relations’ with them. When she refuses, they have her arrested, claiming that the reason she sent her maids away was to be alone as she was having ‘relations’ with a young man under a tree.”
The reason for my attaching the synopsis is simple. Many people immediately shut down upon hearing the word “opera,” and the fine folks at the DVO would love to see that change. Gone are the days of a fat lady named Brunnhilde sporting a Viking helmet and inspiring old men to nap. Gone are the days of lovely ladies in sparkling gowns arriving in limos with men wearing tuxes and bow ties.
Gone, but not forgotten, as audiences in the Upper Delaware River region are invited to adopt a come-as-you-are dress code, sip an adult beverage at intermission and hear an American opera sung in English for all to understand.
Not only did I see “Susannah” last weekend, but I was blown away. The score, written by Floyd, is a wow, and as performed by Jessica Sandidge (Susannah), Jonathan Stinson (Blitch), Daniel Kamalic (Sam) and Ramon Tenefrancia (Little Bat) a double-wow. The singers are more than simply “in fine form,” but are incredibly skilled, wildly talented and just plain impressive, helping to make opera more accessible, simply by being amazing.
Supporting players Andrew Wannigman, Robert Flora, Marcus Huber and Christopher Fistonich are also impressive, and a layered, thoughtful standout performance from Suzanne Dvorken (Mrs. McLean) helps drive the story home.
Rounding out the cast are too many players to name here, but each adds nice touches and flair to a stylish production. It boasts a very cool, simple-yet-effective set design and construction courtesy of Barclay Lottimer, Keith Eisenstark, Steve Marisky and Dan Brinkerhoff. The costumes add to the overall production by effectively illustrating time and place.
2024 Susannah by Carlisle Floyd
Susannah is an opera in two acts by the American composer Carlisle Floyd, who wrote the libretto and music while a member of the piano faculty at Florida State University. Floyd adapted the story from the Apocryphal tale of Susannah and the Elders, though the latter story has a more positive ending. The story focuses on 18-year-old Susannah Polk, an innocent girl who is targeted as a sinner in the small mountain town of New Hope Valley, in the Southern American state of Tennessee.
The Delaware Valley Opera is a member of Opera American and presents high quality professional performances. Carol Castel is the artistic and staging director for the company. Her directing career has included over 55 opera productions in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Opera can pull you into the story with the action, the music and the singing like nothing else. If you haven't seen a DVO production, treat yourself.
Susannah opens on Saturday August 24 at 7pm and Sunday August 25 at 2pm. The final performances are Saturday August 31 at 7pm and Sunday September 1 at 2pm.
The Delaware Valley Opera Center is located at 6692 St. Rte. 52, Lake Huntington, New York 12752-0124.
CAST
Starring Jessica Sandidge and Jonathan Stinson
with Daniel Kamalic, Ramon Tenefrancia, Robert Flora, Marcus Huber, Christopher Fistonich, Suzann Dvorken, Rebekah Creshkoff, Alexis Mariski, and Meredith Huveneers.
Orchestra Conductor: Martin Yazdzik
Pianist: Christopher Zander,
Stage Director: Carol Castel
2024 The Old Maid and the Thief (Gian Carlo Menotti)
“The Telephone” and “The Old Maid and the Thief” are by the American composer Gian Carlo Menotti, who composed both the music and wrote the libretto. He was only 28 years old in 1939 when the opera premiered in a radio broadcast with the NBC Symphony Orchestra. He was inspired to write the story of "The Old Maid and the Thief" after visiting the family of his partner Samuel Barber. He found that a quaint, cute town actually covered up secrets. It’s tells a twisted tale of morals and evil womanly power. Menotti writes in the libretto “The devil couldn’t do what a woman can – Make a thief out of an honest man.”
The opera is most known for two arias. First, "What curse for a woman, is a timid man (Steal me, sweet thief)", is a full scene, where Laetitia sings of her affection for Bob, the bum. The other popular aria is "When the Air Sings of Summer", where Bob contemplates hitting the road.
CAST
Miss Todd, Janice Meyerson
Miss Pinkerton / Lucy, Brooke Schooley
Laetitia, Veronica Mak
Bob / Sam, Chris Fistonich
Pianist/Music Director Martin Yazdzik
Stage Director, Carol Castel
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