Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand

Subject: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: GUEST,Larry Siegel
Date: 17 Apr 15 - 06:05 AM

From: Larry Siegel
Email: [e-mail]

Dear Friends,

I'm writing a rare newsletter to everyone I know because I think the message deserves your attention.

I have always wanted to write a piece that combines my love of traditional music with my projects in theatrical/classical music.

Perception is that piece. We will perform it twice, at 7 and 8:30 on the evening of Saturday, May 23rd, 2015, at the All Souls Unitarian Church, Brattleboro, VT (USA).

It uses Tony's own words to tell his story: a verbatim project.
(Please see tricinium.com for background)

Two Performances:

7:00 and 8:30 pm Saturday, May 23rd, 2015,
All Souls Unitarian Church, Brattleboro, VT

[b][i]Experience Perception: A cabaret opera, a musical portrait of the great English singer, dancer and scholar of traditional styles, Tony Barrand.[/i][/b]

An all-star cast comprised of luminaries from the world of traditional music, including Keith Murphy, Becky Tracy, Peter Amidon, Fred Breunig, Andy Davis, and others, alongside baritone John Moore, a rising star on many of the world's leading opera stages, tells Tony's story.

We're having a great time with the project, there has been a huge outpouring of interest, it will almost certainly sell out.

If we haven't been in touch for a long time, and you are just now hearing from me, Hi!!! Please use the occasion to be in touch.

A separate press release will be forthcoming soon specifically to the members of the press.

Have a look at the attached link that includes a short video and consider helping us mount the production.

If you want to know how to reserve tickets, let me know by reply mail and I will send you the link when it becomes available.

Thanks for your interest.

Please pass this along to your friends.

Help us spread the word,

Larry Siegel
Artistic Director
[e-mail]

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CJB

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 17 Apr 15 - 06:26 AM

Perception: "A Portrait of Tony Barrand- a cabaret opera with traditional dance" by Lawrence Siegel

http://www.hatchfund.org/project/perception_a_portrait_of_tony_barrand_a_cabaret_opera_with_traditional_dance

Perception: "A Portrait of Tony Barrand" is a cabaret opera composed by Lawrence Siegel in honor of the renowned and much-beloved performer and scholar of English and Anglo-American song and dance traditions, Tony Barrand. This portrait, a story of Tony's life, set in a context of both traditional and original music and dance, will be the centerpiece of a pair of performances on May 23rd, 2015, in Brattleboro VT, celebrating Tony: bringing together his family, friends, and the wide community that considers him an inspiration. The piece highlights themes and memories from Tony's life - touching on his upbringing, his musical career, his scholarly perspectives, his partnership with his wife, and the illness Multiple Sclerosis, with which he has wrestled for much of his adult life. The libretto is adapted from Tony's own words, taken verbatim from interviews Larry conducted with Tony. This moving tribute will be presented along with a set of songs offered by friends of Tony's, and in tandem with the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Marlboro Morris Ale and local dance teams Tony founded. The evening is an opportunity to celebrate and honor Tony for his artistry and humor, for his unique gifts and accomplishments, for his 70th birthday, for the place he holds in our hearts, and for the grace and indomitable spirit with which he faces the increasingly debilitating effects of M.S. It is important and timely to gather in community with Tony and to celebrate.

Perception is a piece about a particular person: his story, his journey. That story exemplifies several themes of significance: the formative elements that lead a person to his or her path, how one leaves home and, sometimes, one's home country, the challenges of the life of the spirit inhabiting a body: the human condition, through the lens of a particular subject. A portrait, visual or musical, reveals the depths of its subject, and connects the person to the stories that resonate with a broad audience.

Perception uses Lawrence Siegel's signature Verbatim process. Over thirty years, the composer has created numerous music theater and concert pieces, including the highly regarded oratorio Kaddish, featuring the testimonies of survivors of the Holocaust. Perception, a half-hour in length, is about one person, yet it shares with the larger work interest in the resilience of the human spirit in the face of profound tragedy. The musical styles are many and varied: influenced by traditional music and also by styles more familiar to concert halls.

Perception will have two premiere performances in Brattleboro, VT, at the West Village Meeting House on Saturday evening, May 23, 2015, dove-tailing with the Marlboro Morris Ale which is celebrating its 40th anniversary the same weekend. Perception will bring together well-known performers from the traditional music community, John Roberts, Peter Amidon, Keith Murphy, Becky Tracy, Andy Davis and Fred Breunig - long-time friends of Barrand, acting as a chorus in the piece- and John Moore, a rising star of important opera stages around the world. Traditional dance forms that Barrand danced and taught will also be featured in the portrait. Each of the two one-hour evening performances will be in two acts: a prelude of songs in honor of Barrand offered by our all-star cast, followed by performance of Perception. Rehearsals are scheduled through April and May.

Our minimum fund-raising goal is $2,500, needed to cover the basic production costs: renting the venue, insurance, stage lighting, audio-visual recordings of performances for subsequent sale, publicity, and provisions for cast and crew on the day of the final dress rehearsal and two performances. In order to honor Tony Barrand, all of the performers and the composer have generously ignored any question of their payment. Our "stretch goal" is $7,000, which will support an appropriate level of payment for personnel. This is a non-profit endeavor. Any funds raised beyond our production needs will go to benefit Tony Barrand and his family directly, as a financial contribution toward ongoing exorbitant healthcare expenses (including a home health aide) as Tony lives with the burdens of MS. Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated. We thank you, truly, for your generosity and for helping make this extraordinary evening a success!

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CJB

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: maeve
Date: 17 Apr 15 - 08:36 AM

What a worthy subject!

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 17 Apr 15 - 10:28 AM

This is great to hear.

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: Elmore
Date: 17 Apr 15 - 01:29 PM

Wish I could be there.

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: Elmore
Date: 18 Apr 15 - 10:30 AM

Refresh.

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: LadyJean
Date: 18 Apr 15 - 10:39 PM

Great!

When I was in college I had "Spencer The Rover is Alive and Well and Living In Ithica New York". I loved all the sogs.

The same could not be said for my roommate, the alcoholic Jesus freak. I am elated to say she moved out, because she hated the thing so much. I have felt indebted to Mr. Roberts and Mr. Barrand ever since.

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 19 Apr 15 - 06:56 AM

Do we have the words to "Spencer The Rover is Alive and Well and Living In Ithica New York" here?

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: EBarnacle
Date: 19 Apr 15 - 10:16 AM

Could this also be brought to the NYC area?

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: maeve
Date: 19 Apr 15 - 10:22 AM

Guest, CJB- Here's a start...music and lyrics.
http://www.goldenhindmusic.com/products/st-1.html

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 19 Apr 15 - 07:49 PM

This sounds like a production I would like.

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 03:34 PM

Perception - A Portrait of Tony Barrand

by Raymond Sebold

A Portrait of Tony Barrand. Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand is a cabaret opera composed by Lawrence Siegel in honor of the renowned and much-beloved performer and scholar of English and Anglo-American song and dance traditions, Tony Barrand. The piece highlights themes and memories from Tony's life - touching on his upbringing, his musical career, his scholarly perspectives, his partnership with his wife, and the illness Multiple Sclerosis, with which he has wrestled for much of his adult life. The libretto is adapted from Tony's own words, taken verbatim from interviews Larry conducted with Tony. Choreography was by Kari Smith. Tony Barrand was portrayed by John Moore.

This performance was recorded at the West Village Meeting House Brattleboro, VT on May 23, 2015.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGzz3xldM4f8kwS_cunEBfUdPvPBlHl03

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Songs in Celebration and Homage to Tony Barrand performed by friends of Tony Barrand.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGzz3xldM4f9pSZAI8B0RPevSeJNSgtNN

====

You might like to comment on Tony's Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/tonebarrand?fref=ts

Enjoy!!!

====

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 02:58 AM

Who played John Roberts? In the credits at the end, it said there was an appearance by John Roberts, but I didn't see him. Guess I'll have to watch it again without trying to get work done at the same time...
Don't think I've ever seen an opera with Morris dancers before. Even though I was multitasking, I really enjoyed the production.

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: clueless don
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 09:08 AM

I, too, own a copy of John and Tony's "Spencer the Rover ..." LP. Their performances were an important part of my years at Cornell. But above all else, I am forever grateful to Tony for introducing me to the comic recitations of Marriott Edgar.

Don

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: Elmore
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 12:44 PM

Off topic. Are the nowell Sing We Clear concerts a thing of the past?

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 11:59 PM

Whay a brilliant notion in recognition of a top bloke. Congratys to all concerned, I wish you great suiccess. Best wishes to Tony.

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 12:01 AM

Sorry about the typos. Message sincere if somewhat unskilfull,

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: Felipa
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 05:22 AM

Clueless Don and Lady Jean - I wonder if we met, for instance at the coffee house at Anabel Taylor or at the Big Red Bar and Grill. Do you know that Phil Shapiro is still presenting Bound for Glory?

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 07:38 AM

Elmore, sadly, the news has gone around that they are not touring this year. They are, however, working on a songbook- good news for those of us who have been singing their songs for all these years!

Subject: RE: Perception: A Portrait of Tony Barrand
From: LadyJean
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 10:54 PM

I don't think we've met Felpa. I don't get around much. I do treasure the memory of my first college roommate, an alcoholic evangelical, (Not alcoholic as in in recovery. Alcoholic as in comes in drunk and eats all the angel food cake Cousin Kitty gave me.) moved out because she couldn't stand "Spencer The Rover is Alive and Well and Living in Ithica New York". Which I loved, even before she movedo out.