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Concordia College Presents World Premiere Opera

BRONXVILLE, N.Y. -- Jason Thoms will conduct the Concordia Camerata, a professional music ensemble based at Concordia College-NY, in a world-premiere performance of two compositions on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Sommer Center for Worship at Concordia College in Bronxville.

Hollis Thoms

Hollis Thoms

Photo Credit: Facebook

The two compositions are "Conversations" by Hollis Thoms and "Ocean" by Izaak Thoms. "Conversations" is a one-act opera based on two short stories: "A Little Cloud" by James Joyce" and "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway. Both stories take place in bars, and in this new opera, the stories are combined to form one experience. Irish music (Joyce's story) and flamenco music (Hemingway's story) are contrasting musical backgrounds for the unfolding conversations.

The opera is to be experienced by the audience as if the audience happens to be in the restaurant overhearing these fragmented conversations.

Thoms, composer, educator and researcher, has written more than 140 works for a variety of ensembles. Most recently, he has presented a recital of his works for piano and instruments at St. John's College, Annapolis and had a premiere of a new work for horn and marimba performed at a concert of the Baltimore Composers Forum in Baltimore, Maryland.

The four singers premiering this opera have created roles in a number of Thoms' larger dramatic works, including "Requiem for 9/11," "Socrates," "The Moustache," "Rime of the Ancient Mariner," Passion," and "Isaac."

"Ocean" is a five-minute composition, written for five instruments, by Izaak Thoms (grandson of Hollis Thoms), a seventh-grader at the Bronxville School. He has been composing music in the music-writing program Finale for about seven years and has recently begun studying music theory and composition. Izaak is also an active member of the Christ Church Bronxville choirs, and the choirs at the Bronxville School. He was recently chosen as a member of the Westchester All-County choir.

General admission is $15. Click here to order tickets.

Concordia College-New York is at 171 White Plains Road, Bronxville.

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