On November 19, 2014, James Barron wrote a wonderful article on the new concert opera Purchase of Manhattan for the New York Times: "The Sale of Manhattan, Retold from a Native American Viewpoint." As Lenape Center's Executive Director Joe Baker put it, "This opera in many ways is our homecoming ... [we] are retelling the early beginnings of New York City." Well, what most readers may not know, as revealed to us behind the scenes, is that this particular entry was the "eighth most read NY Times article" for the entire year, internationally!
For those couple of days, the news about Manhattan's origins fanned out across the planet, carrying with it our indigenous perspective and a recognition of some new music! The performance was epic, a brilliant combination of performers who brought the hall to their feet with cheers at the conclusion. During the intensity of the performance, the rustle of a single cough drop wrapper could have carried across from one end to another—listeners were enraptured.
The concert opera premiere becomes one of the highlights of my musical and nonmusical life, and many thanks go to all the Purchase of Manhattan supporters, on the stage and behind it. It's such a proud moment for me, and I especially thank the Lenape Center for entrusting to me, as a composer, a story of such importance. Thanks to Joe Baker, Hadrien Coumans and Curtis Zunigha of the Lenape Center! I remain honored!
For those couple of days, the news about Manhattan's origins fanned out across the planet, carrying with it our indigenous perspective and a recognition of some new music! The performance was epic, a brilliant combination of performers who brought the hall to their feet with cheers at the conclusion. During the intensity of the performance, the rustle of a single cough drop wrapper could have carried across from one end to another—listeners were enraptured.
The concert opera premiere becomes one of the highlights of my musical and nonmusical life, and many thanks go to all the Purchase of Manhattan supporters, on the stage and behind it. It's such a proud moment for me, and I especially thank the Lenape Center for entrusting to me, as a composer, a story of such importance. Thanks to Joe Baker, Hadrien Coumans and Curtis Zunigha of the Lenape Center! I remain honored!
Four cool dudes with cool shoes — Curtis Zunigha, me, Hadrien Coumans, Joe Baker (20 Nov 2014)
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